Antimicrobial Resistance has been described by medical experts as a silent and deadly pandemic that must be treated with care.
Convener of a workshop on AMR, Chukwuemeka Paschal, said this during a workshop, themed ‘Educate, Advocate, Act Now,’ which focused on antimicrobial resistance awareness and advocacy, held in Owerri.
He said, “The theme of this year’s World AMR Awareness Week, ‘Educate. Advocate. Act Now,’ resonated deeply, for it is through education, advocacy, and collective action that we can combat this silent pandemic.
“AMR threatens the very foundations of modern medicine, compromising our ability to treat even the simplest infections. Its implications are far-reaching: food security, economic stability, and the well-being of humans, animals, and our environment. Let us unite in this fight against AMR. Let us educate, advocate, and act now to safeguard our future.”
The resource person during the workshop, Abujah Racheal, said, “Antimicrobial resistance is a silent yet deadly crisis threatening the health, livelihood, and future of Nigerians.
“According to the World Health Organisation, AMR occurs when microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi evolve to resist the drugs designed to kill them.
“In simpler terms, the medicines we rely on to treat infections are losing their effectiveness. Globally, AMR is responsible for 1.27 million deaths annually, with over 4.95 million deaths linked to resistant infections. In Nigeria, the burden is alarming.
“Drug-resistant malaria, tuberculosis, and bacterial infections are increasing, often leaving healthcare providers powerless. Picture a mother in a community whose child succumbs to a treatable infection because no antibiotics work or a young man in Imo State unable to recover from a resistant strain of tuberculosis. These are not abstract scenarios – they are real, and they are growing. AMR is a silent pandemic, and the silence of the stakeholders allows it to thrive.”
To address all these, Abujah said, “Many Nigerians are unaware of the dangers of misusing antibiotics. Through our platforms, we can educate the public about the consequences of self-medication and overuse. Whether it is a community battling resistant infections or farmers overusing antibiotics in livestock, our investigative reports can expose the roots of the problem and hold leaders accountable.
“Tackling AMR will not be easy. It requires a multisectoral approach involving healthcare, agriculture, education, and media. But our work as journalists can pave the way.”
The Antimicrobial Stewardship Manager of the NCDC, Ridwan Yahaya, urged journalists to pursue their advocacy role as part of the NCDC’s action plan for AMR.
Yahaya said, “With about 200,000 newborns dying each year from complications from AMR, journalists can leverage the youths, policymakers, patients and survivors to accelerate action for the fight against AMR.”
Deputy Project Director of Risk Communication at Breakthrough ACTION-Nigeria, Olayinka Umar Farouk, who spoke on effective reporting strategies for AMR awareness and social behavioural change, urged journalists to remain agents for change by championing and advocating for the fight against AMR.