Nigeria’s fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is faltering due to poor record-keeping, warns the Chairman of the Governing Council, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria,Wosilat Giwa.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Surveillance and Prescribing Support for Antimicrobial Stewardship Resource Capacity Building Data for Action training in Abuja, Giwa described AMR as a growing crisis exacerbated by a lack of proper documentation.
“I think the problem we have in the country is not the absence of data but our failure to keep records,” Giwa stated. “If we document and showcase our work properly, we will be better prepared to use medicines wisely and combat resistance.”
She stressed that antimicrobial misuse has led to drug resistance, endangering lives. “Some of us have worked in hospitals where antimicrobial drugs are grossly abused, leading to resistance,” she said. “Carelessness in handling antimicrobials—the way they are used, managed, and enforced—has resulted in loss of lives.”
Giwa urged stakeholders to intensify efforts in data collection and surveillance. “Whatever support we have now for data collection, we must go further to determine the best ways to use and manage antimicrobial agents,” she added.
The World Health Organisation warns that AMR makes infections harder to treat, increasing the risk of severe illness and death.
Experts at the event called for urgent improvements in surveillance, data management, and research to curb the rising threat of resistant infections in Nigeria.
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