Nigeria's Health Minister Launches One Health Strategy Against AMR

The federal government of Nigeria has adopted a One Health approach to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which was linked to approximately 64,500 deaths in the country in 2019. At a press conference in Abuja, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, described AMR as a “hidden pandemic” that complicates the treatment of infections.

He noted that bacterial AMR was responsible for an estimated 1.27 million deaths globally in 2019. The government aims to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship in federal hospitals and improve laboratory capacity and regulation.

Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, emphasized that AMR also poses risks to agriculture and food security. He outlined the government's agricultural response, which includes promoting responsible antimicrobial use and educating farmers on best practices.

The ministers from health, agriculture, livestock, and environment sectors have committed to a joint coordination mechanism to tackle AMR effectively.