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

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
News
Gumi warns against provoking terrorists amid peace talks

Gumi warns against provoking terrorists amid peace talks
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has cautioned against provoking armed groups in Katsina State after a peace deal was struck between terrorists and residents of Faskari Local Government Area.
The comments come amid recent peace meeting held on Sunday in Faskari between residents, local traditional leaders, and a wanted bandit kingpin, Ado Alero, alongside dozens of armed herders.
Recall that a notorious bandit leader, Isiya Kwashen Garwa, earlier declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters, had reportedly accepted a peace deal in Katsina State.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst, in a post on his X handle on Sunday disclosed that Garwa turned up in Hayin Gada community, Faskari Local Government Area, presenting himself as an advocate of dialogue.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Gumi warned that any attempt to attack the armed groups could reignite violence in the state.
“Some people who don’t want peace, will provoke them again by attacking them. It’s very important to educate them that they are used by capitalising on their ignorance and zeal to vengeance,” Gumi wrote.
Gumi warns against provoking terrorists amid peace talks
News
Police launch manhunt for man who stabbed woman to death in Yobe

Police launch manhunt for man who stabbed woman to death in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Yobe has launched a manhunt for one Bello Manu of Chirawa village in Bade Local Government Area, who allegedly stabbed a woman to death on suspicion of witchcraft.
Sources said that on Sept. 13 at about 1520hrs, the police received a report from one resident of Chirawa village that Manu accused one Aisha Umaru, aged 40, of bewitching his son.
“Based on the suspicion, the suspect used a knife to stab the woman on the chest, inflicting severe injuries.
“The victim was rushed to the Specialist Hospital, Gashua, where a medical doctor confirmed her dead. After an autopsy, the corpse was released to her parents for burial,”said the sources.
The sources further disclosed that the suspect fled immediately after committing the crime, adding that police operatives had intensified efforts to track him down and ensure he faced justice.
The security sources urged members of the public to desist from taking the law into their own hands, and to promptly report suspicions or grievances to law enforcement agencies for proper investigation.
Police launch manhunt for man who stabbed woman to death in Yobe
News
Bandits ambush NSCDC personnel in katsina, kill one

Bandits ambush NSCDC personnel in katsina, kill one
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected armed bandits ambushed operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) along Yantumaki–Danmusa road on Friday.
The incident occurred at Dafa village at about 5 p.m., leaving one officer, CCA Adamu Abdullah, 37, dead.
Four other NSCDC personnel sustained injuries in the attack. They include DSC Abdullah Usman, 40, ASC Dikko Sabiu, 42, ASC Haruna Bello, 35, and CCA Kabir Dalhatu, 29.
Sources said the victims were attached to Operation Sharan Daji and were on transit when the bandits struck.
On receiving the report, security personnel from Danmusa mobilised patrol teams to the scene. The injured officers were evacuated to General Hospital, Dutsinma, for treatment, while their Hilux vehicle was recovered.
Bandits ambush NSCDC personnel in katsina, kill one
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