Antimicrobial resistance is increasingly threatening Nigeria’s healthcare system, making previously treatable infections harder to manage. A key strategy to combat this challenge is antimicrobial resistance surveillance, which allows healthcare professionals to track resistance patterns, inform treatment decisions, and implement effective infection control measures.
With Nigeria’s growing population and high antibiotic use, integrating surveillance into infection prevention strategies is crucial to protect patients and communities from the spread of resistant pathogens.
What Is Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance?
Antimicrobial resistance surveillance is the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data on resistant infections. It helps identify new resistance trends, monitor outbreaks, and support evidence- based interventions.
By embedding antimicrobial resistance surveillance within hospitals and public health systems, Nigeria can reduce infection rates, optimize antibiotic use, and save lives.
The Role of WHO Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance
The WHO antimicrobial resistance surveillance framework provides countries like Nigeria with a standardized approach to collecting and reporting AMR data. It enables:
- Early detection of resistant pathogens
- Coordinated responses across healthcare facilities
- Benchmarking against international standards
By following WHO guidelines, Nigerian health authorities can strengthen infection control practices and align with global AMR prevention efforts.
Key Insights from the Antimicrobial Resistance Global Report on Surveillance
The antimicrobial resistance global report on surveillance highlights worldwide AMR trends and lessons for national programs. Nigeria can benefit from these insights to prioritize resources, plan interventions, and enhance laboratory networks.
| Focus Area | Observation from Global Report | Implication for Nigeria |
| Hospital-acquired infections | MDR pathogens rising globally | Strengthen hygiene and isolation protocols |
| Antibiotic usage | Overuse linked to resistance | Implement stewardship programs nationwide |
| Laboratory capacity | Limited diagnostic infrastructure | Invest in molecular labs for early detection |
| Public awareness | Community engagement reduces misuse | Launch nationwide AMR education campaigns |
The antimicrobial resistance global report on surveillance emphasizes a multi-sectoral approach, which Nigeria can adopt to integrate public health, veterinary, and environmental data in AMR monitoring.
How Surveillance Supports Infection Control
- Early Detection and Containment – Surveillance identifies resistant infections before they become outbreaks.
- Informed Antibiotic Prescribing – Data guides clinicians in choosing effective treatments, reducing inappropriate use.
- Evidence-based Policy Making – National and state health policies can be shaped by real-time AMR data.
- Community Education and Awareness – Surveillance findings help design public campaigns that reduce misuse of antibiotics.
By leveraging antimicrobial resistance surveillance, Nigeria can improve both hospital-level infection control and community-level prevention measures.
Conclusion
In Nigeria, integrating antimicrobial resistance surveillance into healthcare systems is vital to controlling resistant infections. Using insights from WHO antimicrobial resistance surveillance and the antimicrobial resistance global report on surveillance, Nigeria can build a proactive AMR monitoring network that safeguards public health.
Investing in laboratories, training healthcare workers, and raising public awareness ensures a future where resistant infections are detected early, treated effectively, and prevented from spreading.
