The Foundation For Medication Safety (NDDCCN) has served as an innovative platform, teaching, educating, and enlightening healthcare professionals in Nigeria, Africa, and globally about the importance of patient and medication safety through its national drug dosage calculation competitions, workshops, seminars, and community-building initiatives.
As part of its advocacy initiatives, The Foundation is also tackling public health challenges. This year, through its Antimicrobial Resistance Conference, it addressed the burden of antimicrobial resistance, bringing together stakeholders and experts in Antimicrobial stewardship.
The conference featured a distinguished lineup of experts, including David Ogunlabi, Founder of NDDCCN; Honourable Israel Fawole; Pharmacist Funmi Odumuwagun; Taibat Ali; and Doctor Aribisala Samuel.
Each speaker offered critical insights into the many factors driving antimicrobial resistance and outlined practical strategies for its prevention and reduction.
Their collective expertise underscored the multidisciplinary approach required to combat this pervasive public health problem.
A central thread running through all discussions was the urgent and severe reality of the AMR crisis in Africa, a situation that demands immediate and coordinated action.
Speakers highlighted the continent’s heavy burden of infectious diseases, a situation that regrettably fuels both the use and misuse of antibiotics.
This cycle contributes to a particularly stark statistic: roughly 24 deaths per 1,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa are now attributed to antimicrobial resistance, a problem worsened by the alarming ease of over-the-counter access to antibiotics.
The urgency of addressing these regional specificities was a recurring point of concern.
Key strategies for battling AMR received strong emphasis, with infection prevention and control (IPC) consistently described as the absolute bedrock for fending off resistance.
Conversations delved deep into the vital roles of antimicrobial stewardship and antimicrobial optimisation, alongside the importance of meticulous patient environment care.
The shared responsibility of all healthcare professionals in upholding strict IPC measures was emphasised, with fundamental yet crucial practices, such as handwashing, highlighted as paramount, underscoring their crucial role in the fight against AMR.
The enduring wisdom, “prevention is cheaper, safer, and better than cure,” echoed throughout the sessions, reinforcing the necessity of standard IPC precautions and proactive health management.
The conference also explored the essential function of surveillance and actionable data in shaping effective infection control strategies, underscoring the power of knowledge in combating AMR.
Robust data collection and analysis were presented as indispensable tools for monitoring resistance patterns and guiding targeted interventions.
AMR was repeatedly framed as an urgent global public health threat, demanding coordinated efforts across all sectors—from clinical practice to policy-making.
Dr Aribisala Samuel, a veterinary expert and professional, drew attention to a lesser-known contributor: the transmission of antimicrobial resistance from animal food, highlighting the complex ecological pathways of AMR and the need for a “One Health” approach.
Reinforcing the call for broader engagement, Koathar Aare, representing the Honourable Israel Fawole, passionately urged nurses to hold a seat at the policy table to actively influence antimicrobial policies, recognising their frontline experience as invaluable to effective strategy development.
The Antimicrobial Resistance Conference 2025 has not only highlighted the urgent challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance in Africa but has also reinforced the Foundation For Medication Safety’s commitment to fostering an integrative approach to public health.
By uniting healthcare professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders across various disciplines, the conference catalysed critical discussions and actionable strategies aimed at combating this growing threat. A collaborative effort is essential to implement effective infection prevention measures and promote responsible antibiotic use.
The foundation’s dedication to education, advocacy, and community engagement will play a pivotal role in steering the region toward a safer health landscape, where the collective expertise and vigilance of all healthcare providers and professionals can make a significant difference in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
Together, we can forge a path toward improved patient safety and a sustainable future for public health.
More Resources On Antimicrobial Resistance
- 2025 Edition Of Global Survey To Track Antimicrobial Resistance Launches
- Antibiotics Most Responsible For Drug Resistance Are Overused – WHO Report
- Strengthening Primary Health Care To Address Antimicrobial Resistance
- Kenya: National Action Plan On Prevention And Containment Of Antimicrobial Resistance 2023-2027
- Strengthening Global Surveillance Of Antimicrobial Resistance And Use
