Daniel Adaji The Federal Government has launched a comprehensive National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance to address the urgent health crisis. The announcement was made by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, during a ceremony at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Abuja on Monday. Kyari stressed the urgent need for a unified approach, stating, “We must work together under the One Health Approach to ensure improved public health, food security, and sustainable development.
” He said the new action plan outlines six strategic objectives aimed at strengthening the country’s response to AMR, including enhancing leadership and surveillance systems, increasing public awareness, and implementing infection prevention and control programmes. Represented by the Director of Planning and Policy Coordination, Mr Ibrahim Tanimu, Kyari underscored the implications of AMR, noting, “Antimicrobial resistance is predicted to cause about an 11 per cent decline in livestock production in low-income countries by 2050.” He emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to addressing these challenges through the establishment of laboratory networks and national guidelines for the responsible use of antimicrobial drugs in animals.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammed Pate, echoed the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health, stating, “AMR occurs when microorganisms evolve and develop the ability to survi.