The Growing Threat of Antibiotic Resistance in Nigeria
One of the major issue that is not only threatening the Nigerian healthcare system but also the everyday life of its millions of citizens is Antibiotic resistance in Nigeria. Incorrect prescription of medications and excessive use of antibiotics in both health care and agriculture sectors have resulted in an increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which have made some of the usual treatments no longer effective. On the contrary, the slow implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs to control the misuse of antibiotics has also been a reason for the problem to become even worse.
The result of recent studies reveals that in Nigeria the antibiotic-resistant microbes have been causing more hospital-acquired infections (HAIs),, which complicated the diseases and their treatment further, and also added to healthcare costs and, even, a number of deaths.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized antibiotic resistance as one of the biggest global health threats. The WHO estimates that antimicrobial resistance could cause 10 million deaths every year globally, which is 2.5 times more than the cancer and diabetes combined. As one of the biggest and most populous countries in Africa, Nigeria has its share of the problem with rising antibiotic resistance and this issue calls for urgent attention.
Understanding the Impact of Antibiotic Resistance on Healthcare
Antibiotic resistance in Nigeria is affecting healthcare systems in ways that are dreadfully challenging to the effectiveness of medical treatments. An express and primary health care crisis is the increase in hospital-acquired infections (HAIs)– which include infections contracted by patients during their stay in healthcare facilities. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are the causative agents of these infections that are difficult to treat and result in serious complications leading to prolonged hospital stays, higher healthcare charges, and higher mortality rates.
The impact of antibiotic resistance further extends to basic medical treatments such as surgeries and cancer therapies, where the infection risk is higher. For example, the immune system of a patient receiving surgery or undergoing chemotherapy can be compromised, making him/her more vulnerable to bacterial infections. If those infections are caused by resistant bacteria, then the treatment options will be limited. This situation has made it even more difficult for healthcare providers as they have to treat infections, sometimes, with antibiotics that are already in short supply.
Common Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
The nature of antibiotic resistance in Nigeria is very complex and multifactorial. A major driver is the increased capacity of bacteria to mutate and develop resistance mechanisms against the drugs that are meant to kill them. Here are some of the most common resistant mechanisms that bacteria may utilize:
- Enzyme production: In this mechanism there are certain bacteria such as beta-lactamases which produce enzymes and destroy antibiotics even before they start working.
- Efflux pumps: Bacteria can develop pumps that actively expel antibiotics from their cells, rendering them ineffective.
- Target modification: Bacteria may modify the molecular targets that antibiotics attack, preventing the drugs from binding and inhibiting their function.
The above-mentioned mechanisms allow bacteria to survive and spread infections which are difficult to treat. Furthermore, the repeated and unjustified use of antibiotics mainly in humans and animals are the promoters of this process, thus facilitating the circulation of resistant bacteria in communities.
Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria & Treatment Challenges in Nigeria
Treating infections with antibiotics becomes harder and one of the biggest challenges in the health sector due to antibiotic resistance in Nigeria. For example, some of the basic types of infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), Pneumonia, and bloodstream infections are getting more difficult to treat due to the increase of resistant pathogens.
As a result of the limited availability of diagnostic tools and the absence of stewardship programs for solving this problem, the majority of healthcare facilities and healthcare providers often use broad-spectrum antibiotics as an alternative, which further exacerbates the problem. The situation has reached a drastic level, as more and more patients require hospitalization, because of the resistant-inhibiting infections. This is putting the whole healthcare system under severe strain. Besides, the Nigerian National Antimicrobial Stewardship Taskforce (NNAST) with a series of initiatives and by supporting the proper antibiotic use is playing a vital role in this fight against resistant infections and also implementing effective infection control measures.
How Antimicrobial Stewardship is Addressing the Crisis
The term antimicrobial stewardship is the collective efforts to ensure the effective use of antimicrobial agents by prescribing them appropriately and only when necessary. The parameter that measures the level of stewardship of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria is actually very low, since the programs are just starting but the process of integration and regulation is in progress. The NNAST has been the major player in this effort as it has advocated the integration of antimicrobial stewardship practice within health facilities, advising gatekeepers to change the practices that contribute to unnecessary use of antibiotics.
One of the implementations of the antimicrobial stewardship program is to aid the surveillance systems, that is in charge of tracking the antibiotics usage and finding the patterns of resistance. These programs serve as an informative guide for the healthcare providers and also monitor their prescribing practices and treatment decisions, to make sure that the right antibiotic is prescribed against each infection.
On top of that, the NNAST has collaborated with concerned bodies, WHO for example to increase awareness about the urgent need for a legislative framework and public health campaign to be developed in against antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria.
What the WHO and NCDC Are Doing to Support Nigeria
Unquestionably, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria as a huge environmental problem and has delivered outstanding support to counter it. The WHO and the Nigerian Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) have been collaborating in several training programs, developing the health workers’ knowledge about antibiotics resistance, and how to overcome it. These programs also incorporate infection prevention and control measures, which are crucial to control the spread of resistant bacteria.
The WHO, in addition to, the Nigeria effort in developing a national action plan for the control of the microorganism which involves the plan of action pointed out in multiple sectors such as the agricultural sector, the environmental sector, and the healthcare sector. This plan emphasizes the importance of strengthening regulatory mechanisms, improving surveillance systems, and enhancing public education about the risks of antibiotic misuse.
Recommendations for Strengthening Hospital Responses
To address the rising threat of antibiotic resistance in Nigeria, several key actions are recommended:
- Implement stronger antimicrobial stewardship programs – Hospitals are required to adopt strict and demanding protocols to prescribe right antibiotics, while ensuring that they are only used when required and effective.
- Increase public awareness – Additionally, public health campaigns should be directed substantially towards educating the population about the possible risks associated with the misuse or overuse of antibiotics and the importance of completing the prescribed medication courses.
- Enhance infection control measures: Hospitals must put strong infection control measures through mandated hand hygiene and the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) to avoid the spread of resistant bacteria.
- Improve surveillance and data collection: Establishing strong surveillance concerning the rate of antibiotic use and existing resistance patterns is also critical to gain insight into the problem and to generate effective interventions.
Conclusion: A Call for Stronger Policies and Collaboration
The increasing antibiotic resistance in Nigeria is not only a matter of immediate concern as it affects the medical treatments currently available, but it also poses a significant threat to the future health of the Nigerian population. The rapid increase in medications that have no effect on infected people due to proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the failure of adequate infrastructures, lack of adherence to the regulations regarding antimicrobial use, and absence of diagnostic test facilities have all played a role in the effort to manage infections.
But, the joint efforts of the regulatory bodies, healthcare providers and worldwide organizations primarily the WHO could put a halt to the situation. Taking historic steps like preventing the irresponsible distribution of antibiotics, increasing infection control practices, and raising public awareness about antibiotic resistance is crucial in the attempt to reestablish the previous status and curb the misuse of antibiotics. The Nigerian National Antimicrobial Stewardship Taskforce (NNAST) is a core engine in the leading of this initiative and further exploration of this direction will be the avenue for saving the health system in Nigeria now and in the years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is antibiotic resistance in Nigeria?
Antibiotic resistance in Nigeria refers to the ability of bacteria to resist the effects of medications that once killed them, making infections harder to treat and leading to more complications in healthcare.
How does antibiotic resistance impact healthcare in Nigeria?
It leads to longer hospital stays, higher mortality rates, increased healthcare costs, and the spread of infections that are difficult to treat with available antibiotics.
What are the main causes of antibiotic resistance?
The primary causes include the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in both humans and animals, poor infection control in healthcare settings, and the lack of proper antimicrobial stewardship programs.
What is the role of NNAST in healthcare?
The Nigerian National Antimicrobial Stewardship Taskforce (NNAST) promotes the responsible use of antibiotics through education, guidelines, and surveillance to reduce antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
