Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has announced new strategies to combat malaria and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the country. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency announced the rollout of vaccines in Kebbi and Bayelsa states on 2 December. Pate emphasized the need for collaboration across all levels of government to implement preventive measures and ensure treatment accessibility. He also acknowledged the emerging threat of AMR, including anti-malaria resistance, which threatens the effectiveness of life-saving medicines.
Plans for malaria elimination
The Nigerian government is collaborating with the Nigerian Governor’s Forum to rethink malaria elimination strategies. The result is the establishment of an Independent Advisory Group on Malaria Elimination, which will develop a pragmatic, cost-effective plan. The group recently held its inaugural meeting in Abuja. The government is also intensifying focus on malaria case management, adopting affordable medicines, and reforming the National Health Authority (NHA) to ensure supplies are available and affordable. Retraining Nigeria’s frontline health workforce is also being prioritized.
Strategies to combat AMR
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global issue causing 4.7 million deaths in 2021. In Nigeria, AMR was linked to over 64,000 deaths in 2019, with only 42.7% of the population having access to healthcare. To address this, the government launched the Second National Action Plan on AMR and the National Genomic Surveillance Strategy. The plan aims to improve antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance capabilities, adopting a One Health approach. Nigeria will host the global fifth high-level ministerial meeting on AMR in 2026.
