Federal Government Unveils Task Force On Antibiotic Misuse

Federal Government Unveils Task Force On Antibiotic Misuse

The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Taskforce on Antimicrobial Stewardship, which aims to address the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and inadequate microbial sensitivity surveillance.

Speaking during the inauguration of the 13-member taskforce in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa, said Nigeria is ranked high in the number of deaths associated with AMR.

He said, “AMR is a silent but deadly threat that has taken root globally, and Nigeria is no exception. It is an issue that cuts across sectors, affecting not only human health but also animal health, agriculture, and the environment.

“The consequences are far-reaching, leading to increased mortality, prolonged illness, and a greater economic burden on families and the nation as a whole. It is no wonder that in 2022, the World Health Organisation declared AMR a global threat.

“Our country is ranked high in the number of deaths associated with AMR. In 2019, there were 64,500 deaths attributable to AMR and 263,400 deaths related to AMR, making AMR deaths in Nigeria higher than deaths from enteric infections, respiratory infections, tuberculosis, maternal and neonatal disorders, neglected tropical diseases, malaria, and cardiovascular diseases.

“Addressing the factors that promote AMR and those that worsen its impact can be challenging and requires both a multisectoral coordination and dedicated sector-specific approaches.”

Alausa said the absence of an antimicrobial stewardship programme to monitor the pattern of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial sensitivity across the various regions of the country portends a great danger that can lead to significant antimicrobial resistance issues.

This, he added, would contribute to high morbidity and mortality and stretch the overdependent hospital system further.

“This is what necessitated the setting up of this task force, to have a national oversight to monitor and help provide guidance across the nation on antimicrobial use that will be based on sensitivity results for prudent antimicrobial usage.

“The task force will support in several areas of national antimicrobial resistance research, surveillance, and antimicrobial stewardship,” he added.

The minister stated that activities will be developed around coordinating AMR surveillance and research activities in Nigeria, creating an AMR data platform, and promoting enlightenment and education on AMR.

The national coordinator and chairman of the task force, Dr Omobosola Akinsete, said the role is an opportunity to make meaningful differences in the country’s healthcare.

Akinsete said AMR is a global public health crisis, and it threatens the foundations of healthcare systems.

She said, “It affects all of us: patients, healthcare providers, the healthcare systems, and the community at large.

“As we advance in the fight against these infectious pathogens, we have to ensure that we’re using antimicrobials only when we need to.

“When we treat patients, we treat them with the appropriate dosage of effective and safe antibiotics for the shortest amount of time possible and with the least amount of harm to the patient.

“Antimicrobial stewardship is crucial to the endeavours of this government, and it’s what the task force is all about. We’re bringing the fight to the patients.”

On her part, the Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, commended the minister’s efforts in improving healthcare in the country.

Fasawe, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat, Dr Babagana Adams, said, “We will work together with the taskforce so that we will achieve the set goal.”