IHVN, experts urge stronger media reporting on antimicrobial resistance

By Ojoma Akor

The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) and experts have urged journalists to collaborate more with other stakeholders to reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Nigeria.

The Chief Executive Officer of IHVN, Dr Patrick Dakum, made the call on Monday during a two-day training program on AMR reporting organized by the Antibiotics Stewardship Education for Pharmacists (ASTEP) research project of the institute in collaboration with the Nigeria AMR Media Alliance (NAMA) in Abuja.

Represented by Dr Nnakelu Eriobu, Senior Program Manager, Research and Evaluation of the institute and Chair, IHVN Ethics Committee, said there is low awareness about the burden and implications of AMR in the country.

AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines.

Antimicrobials, usually called drugs or medicines, are substances used to treat, kill, or stop a wide variety of infectious diseases in humans and animals, such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics.

Antibiotics treat infections caused by bacteria. Antivirals treat infections caused by viruses such as HIV. Antiparasitic drugs treat infections caused by parasites such as malaria, and antifungals treat infections caused by fungi such as yeast infections.

Dr Dakum said, “So some of the effects are that the person does not recover. And remember that money has left his pockets, and we know the state of the economy now. So he may not even have money to buy another drug.”

He said AMR also leads to loss of work hours and productivity, adding, “It’s something that we don’t want to see continue to advance in our society.”

While saying that it is a multifaceted problem, he said health workers such as pharmacists, medical doctors, patent medicine vendors, and traditional birth attendants help fuel AMR.

He added that environmental activities and animal farming also contribute.

The IHVN CEO also highlighted that journalists have a critical role to play in addressing the growing public health threat from AMR.

“You can have all the science, but if you don’t have the journalists carrying the information, getting that dissemination out there, then the science is useless. There are a lot of resources and attention going into translation and dissemination. So having you guys show that interest to come here to carry on that message that AMR is a problem in Nigeria is something that we really appreciate. And that is why we are here to support this training.

“So it’s a huge problem. And the change will need to come from multiple directions because one of the major issues is lack of knowledge. And that is why we are actually trusting and depending on you, journalists, who are more in touch with the commoner, to communicate this science back to them in a very simple way that can make a real impact.”

Principal Investigator of the ASTEP project, Dr Charity Oga-Omenka, said that some studies have shown that nearly 70% of Nigerians get antibiotics without prescription.

Oga-Omenka, who is also an Assistant Professor, School of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, said reducing the burden of AMR in Nigeria requires collective efforts and for all hands to be on deck.

She said, “It’s a multifaceted problem that needs everyone, every deck hand. We cannot solve it from only one angle. The prescribers have a role to play.

“The dispensers have a role to play. The journalists who carry the science to the public also have a role to play. The public themselves need to realize that demanding  antibiotics without a prescription is actually harming them more than it’s benefiting them.”

She said, “We haven’t exactly measured or done a prevalence of AMR or OTC dispensing in Nigeria in our study. But looking at people who have done these studies, it’s really high.

“Some studies put it at 70%, nearly 70% of Nigerians that get antibiotics without prescription. Okay. So it’s just for everyone to be careful. It’s a multifaceted problem that needs everyone, every deck hand. We cannot solve it from only one angle. The prescribers have a role to play.

The dispensers have a role to play. The journalists who carry the science to the public also have a role to play. The public themselves need to realize that demanding  antibiotics without a prescription is actually harming them more than it’s benefiting them.”

Founding Chairperson of NAMA, Ojoma Akor, thanked the leadership of IHVN and the A-STEP Project for recognizing the indispensable role of the media in the fight against antimicrobial resistance and for investing in the capacity of journalists to tell this critical story.

She highlighted that despite the enormity of AMR, it remains underreported in Nigeria.

She said Many citizens are unaware of how the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans, animals, and agriculture contribute to this growing crisis. This is where the media has a unique responsibility.

She said, “As journalists, we are not merely observers of events; we are educators, agenda setters, advocates for accountability, and trusted sources of information. Through accurate, evidence-based, and compelling reporting, we can help shape public understanding, influence policy discussions, promote responsible antibiotic use, and amplify the voices of experts and communities affected by antimicrobial resistance.’

Akor further said the establishment of  NAMA reflects our shared commitment to strengthening health journalism and building a network of reporters equipped to cover AMR from a One Health perspective, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

She said, “This training provides an excellent opportunity to deepen our understanding of AMR science, strengthen our investigative and data journalism skills, and build relationships with scientists, clinicians, policymakers, and public health experts.”

She enjoined participants to look beyond event-based reporting, saying the real stories lie in the communities, hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, farms, markets, and policymaking institutions.

She said, “Let us investigate the drivers of antimicrobial resistance, examine the implementation of national policies, highlight innovative solutions, and tell the human stories behind the statistics.

“To my fellow journalists, I challenge us to become champions of responsible AMR reporting. Let this training mark the beginning of stronger collaborations and sustained, high-quality reporting that contributes to protecting the effectiveness of life-saving medicines for future generations.

“Together, we can ensure that antimicrobial resistance is no longer a silent crisis but a national priority that receives the attention, action, and accountability it deserves.”

 

 

 

 

 

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