By Muhammad Amaan
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government of Switzerland have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening global action against antimicrobial resistance through collaboration, innovation and sustainable health system reforms.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a courtesy visit by Switzerland’s Minister of Health, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, accompanied by the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Patrick Egloff, to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate.
Health Reporters Newspaper reports that the commitment is coming at time Nigeria intensifies preparations to host the 5th Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) schedule for December in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Pate said Nigeria’s response to antimicrobial resistance goes beyond healthcare, with the country adopting a One Health approach that brings together the health, agriculture, livestock, environment and water resources sectors to tackle one of the world’s most pressing public health challenges.
He noted that while antimicrobial resistance is a global concern, countries face different realities, stressing that for many low- and middle-income countries, expanding access to quality antimicrobials, strengthening disease prevention and building resilient health systems are all essential to addressing the growing threat.
Prof. Pate further emphasised that sustainable health security in Nigeria and across Africa cannot depend indefinitely on external financing.
He noted that Nigeria is implementing reforms to expand health insurance coverage, strengthen domestic resource mobilisation and increase investments in health, while positioning local pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing as a strategic priority for improving access to essential medicines, creating jobs and strengthening resilience against future health emergencies.
“Our objective is not to replace international partnerships, but to ensure they complement, rather than substitute for, nationally owned systems. Sustainable health security will ultimately depend on stronger domestic institutions, financing and manufacturing capacity,” the Coordinating Minister said.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of stronger regional collaboration in research, manufacturing, regulatory systems and knowledge sharing to build a more self-reliant Africa capable of responding effectively to shared health challenges.
Swiss Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider described antimicrobial resistance as a cross-border challenge requiring collective global action and reaffirmed Switzerland’s support for stronger multilateral cooperation, research, innovation and workforce development.
Both countries also recognised the need for universities and training institutions to strengthen their curricula to prepare the next generation of scientists, researchers, manufacturers and public health professionals needed to sustain future health system reforms.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships that advance global health security while accelerating nationally owned reforms to build a resilient, self-reliant and sustainable health system for all Nigerians.
