FG raises concern over antibiotic-related deaths, warns of drug resistance

The Federal Government has actually revealed issue over the growing risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which was approximated to have actually triggered 64,500 deaths in Nigeria in 2019.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, raised the issue at a joint ministerial interview in Abuja on Monday, speaking on behalf of the ministries of health and social well-being, farming and food security, animals advancement, and environment.

The 4 ministries are leading Nigeria’s One Health action to antimicrobial resistance ahead of the 5th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR, arranged to keep in Abuja from December 6 to 8, 2026.

The conference is anticipated to combine ministers, researchers, advancement partners and other stakeholders to enhance the worldwide reaction to drug-resistant infections and equate existing dedications into useful action.

“Antimicrobial resistance is among the gravest risks of our time. When prescription antibiotics and other antimicrobials quit working, regular infections end up being harmful, surgical treatment and giving birth bring higher threat, and the expense of care increases for every single household,” Pate stated.

He stated the worldwide neighborhood had actually made crucial dedications through the 2024 Political Declaration of the United Nations General Assembly on AMR, the Muscat Ministerial Manifesto and the Jeddah Commitments, including that the concern now was to execute them.

“That is why Nigeria is happy to host the 5th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance in Abuja from 6 to 8 December 2026, the very first on African soil, under the style One Health: Advancing Global AMR Commitment Through Local Action,” he stated.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, stated antimicrobial resistance postured a severe danger to farming production and food security.

He cautioned that the improper or extreme usage of antimicrobials might weaken illness control, minimize performance and compromise food security.

Abdullahi stated the One Health method identified the links in between human, animal and ecological health and offered a structure for collaborated policies, reliable security and sustainable interventions.

Represented by the Director of Plant Health and Pest Control Services, Iwendi Grace Odunola, the minister determined accountable antimicrobial and agrochemical usage, more powerful food security systems, broadened farming extension services and enhanced farmer education as concerns for the farming sector.