The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has called for a stronger collaboration among stakeholders under the One Health Approach in the implementation of the new National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) to ensure improved public health, food security and sustainable development in the country.
Speaking during a ceremony at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Abuja recently, the minister stated that the new National Action Plan on AMR has six strategic objectives which include strengthening leadership and surveillance systems, improving public awareness, implementing infection prevention and control programmes, access to quality microbials, and increasing the knowledge capacity of relevant stakeholders.
The minister, who was represented by the Director, Planning and Policy Coordination, Mr Ibrahim Tanimu, pointed out that the implementation plan was aimed at addressing the challenges of Antimicrobial Resistance in the human, animal and environmental sectors.
He said: “In line with the political declaration at the just concluded United Nation’s General Assembly, the Ministry recognize that antimicrobial resistance is one of the most urgent global health threats and development challenges.
“Antimicrobial resistance is predicted to cause about 11% decline in livestock production in low-income countries by 2050”.
He added that to curb antimicrobial resistance, the ministry has established a network of laboratories to support AMR surveillance, developed national guidelines for the use of antimicrobial drugs in animals to guide animal health practitioners.
He further stated that in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the ministry had developed bio securities guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for poultry and aquaculture sectors.
He pledged the ministry’s full commitment to the implementation of the activities of the new National Action Plan.
In his remarks the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, emphasised the Federal Government’s dedication to protecting citizens’ health and well-being.
“AMR occurs when microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve and develop the ability to survive treatments that once killed them or inhibited their growth,” he said.
Pate also explained that the Second National Action Plan on AMR aims to mitigate the impact of antimicrobial resistance, which claimed 4.7 million lives globally in 2020.
Earlier in a goodwill message, the World Health Organisation’s Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, pointed out that the world has reached a critical milestone in understanding the environment’s impact on antimicrobial resistance.
He also noted that this achievement demonstrates leadership, ownership and drive to address the pressing issue.
In his presentation, the Co-chair of the AMR Technical Working Group, Kabir Junaid, stated that the adoption of the document was crucial as it would direct the country on what it should focus on combating anti-microbial resistance.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling and launch of the new National Action Plan on AMR and the National Genomics Surveillance Strategy.
In attendance were a former Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, and other critical stakeholders and development partners in the sector.