NCDC, Robert Koch Institute Move to Strengthen AMR Surveillance in Nigeria
Nigeria Enhances Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), in partnership with Germany’s Robert Koch Institute, held a two-day dialogue in Abuja aimed at strengthening the country’s antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance system. The event, organized under the NiCaDe AMR Project, gathered professionals from sentinel laboratories, healthcare institutions, academia, and development partners.
Participants reviewed ten years of AMR surveillance data to pinpoint existing gaps and discuss practical strategies for improvement. According to a post on X, discussions centered on enhancing laboratory capacity, improving data quality, fostering institutional mentorship, and promoting collaboration across various levels of the healthcare system.
The meetings also focused on improving diagnostic stewardship and ensuring the responsible use of antimicrobial medicines, which are crucial in addressing the escalating threats posed by antimicrobial resistance.
Following the dialogue, attendees identified priority actions to develop a national Hub-and-Spoke framework aimed at bolstering AMR surveillance and stewardship across Nigeria. The proposed model is anticipated to enhance coordination between laboratories and healthcare institutions, facilitate the generation of reliable surveillance data, and support evidence-based treatment decisions.
The NCDC reiterated its commitment to strengthening the evidence base necessary for informed treatment decisions and effectively combating antimicrobial resistance in the country.
