By Muhammad Amaan
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised concern about the potential economic toll of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Nigeria if left unchecked.
The WHO said that the situation could cause Nigeria and other low-income countries a reduction in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of up to four per cent by 2030.
Dr Laxmikant Chavan, Technical Officer, AMR, and Coordinator for One Health, WHO, said this in Abuja during a two-day training initiative for journalists.
The training was to empower journalists to drive the change narrative with compelling data-driven health stories.
The theme of the training was “Empowering Journalists to drive the change narrative with compelling data-drive health story.”
Chavan said that AMR could push an estimated 28 million people into extreme poverty globally, exacerbating existing socioeconomic challenges.
“The economic toll of AMR for Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries could lead to a reduction in GDP of up to four per cent by 2030.
“AMR is already affecting Nigeria, like the outbreaks of diphtheria and fungal infections resistant to multiple treatments.
“Without addressing AMR, achieving global health targets will become increasingly difficult
“Low and middle-income countries like Nigeria stand to suffer the most, where healthcare costs could skyrocket and millions of people could be pushed into extreme poverty.” he said.
According to him, Nigeria with 64,500 AMR-related deaths in 2019, is among the hardest-hit countries, and the figures are expected to rise unless swift action is taken.
Chavan called for investments in AMR initiatives, saying that for every dollar invested, the estimated return could be 13 dollars in health and economic benefits.
He advised policymakers and stakeholders to prioritise AMR to avert the looming global health and economic crises.
He said that AMR played a critical role in hindering the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which focuses on health and well-being.
“Without significant investment and global collaboration, AMR will soon surpass diseases like malaria, HIV, and TB in terms of its public health impact,” he said.
Chavan said that the World Health Assembly (WHA) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had agreed to reduce AMR-related deaths by 10 per cent by 2030.
