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FG Launches the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Policy for Environment Sector

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FG Launches the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Policy for Environment Sector

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has intensified the fight against antimicrobial resistance, which is estimated to lead to a global US$ 1 trillion additional healthcare costs by 2050, and US$ 1 trillion to US$ 3.4 trillion gross domestic product (GDP) losses per year by 2030, with the launch of the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Policy for Environment Sector on Thursday

Speaking at the Launch in Abuja, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako noted that a lot still needs to be done for the environment sector to come up to speed and be at par with other One Health sectors with regards to AMR management. He said: “It is in this context and in line with the mandate of the ministry that this policy on national antimicrobial resistance for the environment sector has been developed.”

The Minister said: “You will agree with me that antibiotics play a critical role in reducing the burden of communicable disease all over the world. However, resistance to previously potent antibiotics has become a major problem of major public health significance requiring a range of interventions and multidisciplinary approach. This growing trend of resistance to antibiotics calls for global action to monitor and control unnecessary use of antibiotics in humans and animals which eventually gets to the environment.”

Salako added that: “Antimicrobial resistance is not only a public health threats, it has huge implications for global economic wellbeing and security, affecting both developed and developing countries. AMR is listed by the World Health Organization as one of the ten top threats to global health. According to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), AMR is a global crisis that cannot be understood or addressed separately from the triple planetary crisis.”

He noted that: “The report of the 2022 Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) report highlights alarming resistance rates among bacterial pathogens that causes the deadliest infections with other pathogens like virus, fungi and protozoa also becoming resistant. This report shows that AMR threat is growing at an alarming rate making treatment challenging with longer hospital stays, increased mortality and higher healthcare cost. The World Bank estimates that AMR could result in US$ 1 trillion additional healthcare costs by 2050, and US$ 1 trillion to US$ 3.4 trillion gross domestic product (GDP) losses per year by 2030.”

The Minister said: “Nigeria as a responsible member of the global community is committed to adopting a holistic approach to addressing AMR to ensuring all of sector involvement, no duplication and efficient use of scarce resources. To achieve this, and protect public health, food security and the environment, the recognition of the interconnectedness between human, animal and environmental health in line with the One Health principles is central.”

Salako noted that: “In this regard, the Federal Ministry of Environment has embarked on a number activities aimed at laying a solid foundation for AMR surveillance in the environment sector of our country. This includes: AMR situation analysis in environment sector conducted in 2020 including laboratory and capacity needs assessment of environmental reference laboratories domicile with NESREA to pave way for setting up AMR surveillance in the environment sector and provide recommendations for strengthening capacities for AMR surveillance within the sector.

“Establishment of the Integrated National Environmental Health Surveillance System (INEHSS) in 2022 for real time environmental health and sanitation scientific data collection and processing for informed policy decisions, planning, monitoring, evaluation, early warning signals and response to environmental health challenges including disease outbreak. The INEHSS provides a premise for AMR surveillance in the environment considering the unsound release of antimicrobial residues in our environment.”

He revealed that with collaboration with other stakeholders, the Federal Ministry of Environment intends to create AMR surveillance system in the environment sector by integrating AMR into INEHSS which is an existing surveillance system in the environment sector, in order to provide timely alerts on AMR spread; regulate the discharge and distribution of antimicrobials into the environment; promote public knowledge and awareness on AMR and implication of indiscriminate Antimicrobial Discharge (AMD) into the environment; establish national standards for monitoring and controlling antimicrobials in the environment through the development of
roadmap for monitoring AMR in the environment, standards for Antimicrobial residue, Antimicrobial Resistance Genes (ARG) and Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria (ARB) discharge into the environment

He said this includes database of all allied industries, institutes, healthcare facilities and farms in Nigeria and most importantly strengthening of Environmental Health Officers’ capacity to track the activities of the culpable facilities.

On his part, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Representative Ad-Interim in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Koffy Kouacou Dominique said: “The antimicrobial resistance scourge affects humans, animals, plants, and the environment. It is estimated that 10 million people would die annually by the year 2050, and the economies of nations negatively affected if this challenge is not mitigated.”

He insisted that: “It is therefore important for countries to put in place actions that will reduce and control this scourge.”

Dominique added that: “Antimicrobial resistance which is a One Health issue needs to be tackled by all sectors. It is for this reason that the FAO in 2022 supported the Federal Ministry of Environment to develop the National AMR Policy and the National Strategic Plan (2023 – 2027). This support was also to assist in enhancing the capacity and capabilities of the environment sector to participate actively in development and implementation of multi-sectoral and inter-disciplinary AMR control plans at the national and subnational levels.”

FG Launches the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Policy for Environment Sector

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Police repel bandits attack, rescue six victims in Katsina

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Police repel bandits attack, rescue six victims in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police Command in Katsina, in collaboration with the military and local vigilantes, has repelled a bandits’ attack in Malumfashi Local Government Area of the state.

Sources said that the incident occurred on Wednesday at about 1:20 a.m., when bandits stormed Lamuntani village in Goran Dansaka ward but were engaged in a gun battle by security operatives, forcing them to flee into the bush.

According to sources , six kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt. They include Aisha Rilwanu, 12; Zainab Mansir, 15; Munnir Sani, 19; Salamatu Umar, 19; Asmau Sani, 10; and Jamila Nasiru, 21.

The sources added that while escaping, the bandits attacked nearby Santan Kargo village, where they shot and injured three persons Yusuf Yushau, 30; Ismail Abubakar, 21; and Abdulmumin Sani,who were rushed to Malumfashi General Hospital for treatment.

The sources said two victims were still missing as security forces intensified search-and-rescue operations in the area.

Police repel bandits attack, rescue six victims in Katsina

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Army recovers 164 rustled livestock in Zamfara, Sokoto

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Army recovers 164 rustled livestock in Zamfara, Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA (OPFY) have recovered 164 rustled animals during clearance operations in Zamfara and Sokoto States.

Sources disclosed this on Thursday, saying the recoveries followed ambushes against terrorists moving livestock across communities.

The sources told Zagazola the troops, working with vigilantes, engaged terrorists attempting to move rustled animals from Talata Mafara LGA to Anka axis of Zamfara, recovering 21 sheep.

“Similarly, troops of 8 Division in conjunction with Keystone forces repelled terrorists who attacked Garbe Kanni village in Tureta LGA, Sokoto. A total of 143 sheep were recovered and a terrorist camp destroyed,” the sources said.

The animals have since been handed over to the chairmen of Bakura and Tureta LGAs for onward return to their rightful owners.

Army recovers 164 rustled livestock in Zamfara, Sokoto

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Troops arrest notorious cattle rustlers, recover arms in Plateau

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Troops arrest notorious cattle rustlers, recover arms in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested two notorious cattle rustlers and recovered arms and ammunition in Plateau State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama on Thursday in Jos that the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of cattle rustlers in Kogul village, Mangu Local Government Area.

According to the sources, the troops raided the hideout of the suspects on Sept. 11 and arrested two of them. Items recovered include one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, one fabricated revolver rifle, 10 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, one mobile phone and cash.

“The arrested suspects and recovered items are in the custody of the troops for investigation. Follow-up operations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate,” the sources said.

They added that the arrest was significant in curbing the menace of cattle rustling, which has often triggered crisis in Plateau and adjoining states.

Troops arrest notorious cattle rustlers, recover arms in Plateau

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