By Elizabeth Vincent, Yenagoa
As the world marks World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) awareness week from 18–24 November, the world health organization’s regional director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, has issued an urgent warning, the growing threat of drug resistant infections is eroding decades of medical progress and endangering millions of lives across the continent.
In a statement released to commemorate the week under the theme “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future, Dr. Janabi described AMR as a “silent pandemic” that demands unified, cross-sector action.
“Medicines that once cured infections are failing this crisis is here it is real and it touches every aspect of society, he said, calling for swift, coordinated intervention under the One Health approach, which connects human, animal, and environmental health.
AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve resistance to medicines designed to eliminate them. Its impact is already profound.
Globally 1.27 million deaths in 2019 were directly caused by drug resistant infections surpassing deaths from HIV/AIDS and malaria. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the hardest-hit region, with four bacterial pathogens streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus each responsible for more than 100,000 deaths.
The toll remained high in 2021, with 1.14 million AMR-related deaths, again with the highest mortality rates recorded in Africa.
According to Dr. Janabi, inappropriate use of antimicrobials in humans and animals, poor water and sanitation systems, and limited diagnostic capacity continue to accelerate the crisis across the region’s 47 Member States.
Strengthening Systems Across the Continent
Despite the challenges, he highlighted key progress. All 47 Member States now have multisectoral National Action Plans (NAPs) to guide coordinated AMR responses,to enhance governance and implementation, WHO and its quadripartite partners—FAO, UNEP, and WOAH—have trained more than 220 officials from 20 countries in leadership and cross-sector coordination.
Surveillance capacity is also growing, with 25 member states enrolled in the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS). These data, Dr. Janabi said, are critical for targeted interventions.
In addition, 32 countries are implementing core strategies to promote responsible antimicrobial use within communities and health facilities,WHO has also expanded education and stewardship platforms, with more than 18 countries participating in knowledge-sharing initiatives this year.
Dr. Janabi urged all stakeholders to take tangible steps to halt the spread of AMR:governments mobilize domestic resources to sustain long term AMR prevention and National Action Plan implementation.
He said health professionals prescribe responsibly follow national guidelines and uphold infection prevention and control standards,environmental and regulatory bodies ,enforce standards to manage antimicrobial waste and reduce contamination of soil water and food systems.sivil Society organizations: Act as mobilizers, watchdogs, and educators ensuring accountability, equity, and community level.
Fostering awareness in communities to avoid self medication, complete prescribed treatments, and practice good hygiene youth,use their voice and digital platforms to combat misinformation and promote responsible antimicrobial use.
The WHO regional director praised the growing partnerships across Africa, particularly collaboration with FAO, UNEP, WOAH, Africa CDC, and AU-IBAR. Joint AMR awareness campaigns, he said, are helping amplify consistent, science-based messages and foster behavioral change.
“Together through One Health action, innovation and accountability, we can mitigate the silent pandemic of AMR and secure a healthier, safer future for Africa and the world,” Dr. Janabi affirmed.
