As antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to threaten global health, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has emphasized the need for coordinated national and international efforts to combat this growing crisis. Prof. Adeyeye made this call in Lagos during an event organized in collaboration with the Royal Danish Embassy and the Danish Ministry of Environment and Food to mark the 2024 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW).
Observed annually from November 18 to 24, WAAW aims to raise awareness about AMR and curb the spread of drug-resistant infections. The theme for 2024 is “Educate. Advocate. Act now.” AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist antimicrobial agents, making infections harder to treat.
“Antimicrobial resistance is not a distant threat; it is already impacting our lives,” Prof. Adeyeye stressed. “Infections once easily treated with antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals are now becoming difficult, sometimes impossible, to manage. This silent pandemic threatens decades of medical progress and poses unquantifiable risks to humans, animals, and plants.”
NAFDAC has implemented several measures to address AMR, including banning growth promoters in livestock, prohibiting colistin use in poultry and swine products, and establishing an AMR-One Health (OH) committee. This committee collaborates with agencies such as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
Prof. Adeyeye commended the Royal Danish Embassy for its significant contributions to NAFDAC’s initiatives, including training 50 staff members and supporting capacity-building efforts. “We are grateful for this partnership, which has greatly enhanced our capabilities,” she noted.
Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jens Ole Bach Hansen, highlighted Denmark’s proactive stance on AMR, having established a joint monitoring program for humans and animals in 1995. He reiterated Denmark’s commitment to collaborating with Nigeria on public health safety, focusing on food safety, disease control, and prudent veterinary drug use.
“This partnership signifies close cooperation between Denmark, NAFDAC, and Nigeria’s Ministry of Agriculture,” Ambassador Hansen said. “We aim to share experiences and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity in sustainable livestock production and food safety through strategic sector cooperation.”
NAFDAC Calls for Global Action Against Antimicrobial Resistance at World Awareness Week Event
- Tags: Denmark, NAFDAC, Nigeria, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye
