Nigeria has been ranked 19th among 204 countries with the highest Antimicrobial Resistance, AMR-related mortality rates, signifying an urgent need to tackle the growing threat.
As research points to the wrong use of antimicrobials in humans and livestock as the major cause of AMR, an Epidemiologist, Dr Ayodele Majekodunmi wants the Nigerian government to introduce firm regulations to check the high mortality linked to AMR in Nigeria.
Dr Majekodunmi, who heads the Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases at the Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO, called for strong surveillance systems, sustainable funding and collaboration across health, agriculture and environmental sectors to combat AMR.
At a recent Step-down Training on Media-EIS Tracks and Antimicrobial Resistance for health journalists in Abuja, Dr Majekodunmi revealed that more than 64,000 deaths have been linked to AMR in Nigeria alone while over 260,000 deaths are connected to AMR complications.
She explained that AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses or parasites become resistant to the medicines used to treat them and the infections they cause.
‘‘AMR happens because of overuse or misuse of antimicrobial drugs in humans, animals and agriculture or as a result of inappropriate prescription or incomplete treatment.
‘‘Practices such as using antibiotics for livestock growth promotion or self-medication in humans are also exacerbating the crisis.
Warning of the economic implications of AMR, the medical expert said deaths from drug resistance could hit 10 million by 2050, hitting the global economy with a $100 trillion loss, plus a potential 3.8% GDP reduction.
“Antimicrobial resistance does not only affect health, it undermines livelihoods and development with increased healthcare costs, reduced productivity, and food insecurity.
Sharing her knowledge of Epidemiology, Award-winning health journalist, Ojoma Akor said there was a need for colleagues to report health from the angle of expertise, adequately communicating scientific data, preventive measures and triggers, especially during health emergencies.
‘‘Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the prevention and control of health problems
‘‘Behaviour and environment influence the spread of diseases, for journalists, understanding disease patterns and determinants and effectively communicating same to the public, improves government interventions.’’
Meanwhile, the Deputy Project Director of Risk Communication at Breakthrough Action Nigeria, Dr Olayinka Umar-Farouk, emphasized the role of journalists in disease prevention, stressing that well-informed media contributes to improved health outcomes.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of aligning public health professionals with journalists to disseminate accurate information. This fellowship program ensures media professionals can effectively communicate complex health challenges,” she said.
Check high mortality linked to AMR in Nigeria – Epidemiologist to FG