AMR crisis intensifies as WHO warns Nigeria of rising deaths and urges urgent action to curb antimicrobial resistance

The AMR crisis in Nigeria has reached an alarming point, according to the World Health Organisation Representative and Head of Mission to Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu, who revealed that more than 60,000 lives have been lost annually since 1990 to antimicrobial resistance.

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Ursu issued the warning in his message on Tuesday to mark the 2025 World AMR Awareness Week, themed Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.

The WHO explained that antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve over time and no longer respond to medicines.

The result is tougher infections, increased disease spread, severe illness, and a higher risk of death. As resistance grows, antibiotics and other crucial medicines become ineffective and treatment options diminish.

Observed globally from 18 to 24 November each year, the World AMR Awareness Week aims to improve public understanding of AMR while promoting responsible practices among communities, One Health stakeholders, and policymakers.

Ursu stressed that AMR is a growing global threat that disproportionately harms lower-and-middle-income countries and vulnerable groups.

He warned that AMR is now affecting health systems, healthcare costs, food security, the environment, economies, and wider development efforts.

He described the AMR Crisis as a silent but rapidly escalating danger that undermines modern medicine, drives deadly outbreaks in poor settings, and worsens child and maternal mortality.

Despite rising infections, he said awareness, funding, and action remain insufficient.

Globally, AMR was linked to an estimated 4.71 million deaths in 2021. Of these, 1.14 million deaths were directly attributable to resistance, while 1.05 million were indirectly linked.

Sub-Saharan Africa alone recorded 250,000 deaths directly attributed to AMR. Ursu added that about 178 million disability-adjusted lives are lost annually to AMR and that the global economic burden could reach one trillion dollars each year if the crisis remains unchecked.

Projections from 2021 warn that AMR could claim up to 39 million lives by 2050.

Nigeria’s situation is particularly troubling. In 2021, an estimated 50,500 deaths were directly attributed to bacterial AMR, while 227,000 deaths were associated with it.

The highest toll was recorded among children under five. Ursu said these figures underscore the urgent need for collective action across sectors.

He called for integrated efforts within primary healthcare, food security, climate initiatives, and a wider national approach to strengthen the AMR response.

This year’s theme, he noted, highlights the importance of bold, coordinated, cross-sectoral action to confront AMR as a current threat requiring immediate and sustained intervention.

He urged stakeholders in human, animal, and environmental health to transform political commitments into accountable, evidence-based action.

Ursu also called for greater investment in surveillance, innovation, equitable access to medicines and diagnostics, and stronger, resilient health systems.

He referenced the momentum from the 2024 United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting on AMR and Nigeria’s upcoming role as host of the Fifth Global High-Level Ministerial AMR Conference in 2026.

He encouraged governments, civil society, healthcare workers, veterinarians, farmers, environmental actors, and citizens to prioritise long-term investment and strategic action.

He emphasised that every contribution matters, whether a hospital administrator strengthens stewardship teams or a farmer adopts sustainable waste management.

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He described investment in the AMR Crisis response as a smart and essential step towards a healthier, more secure future.