THE Federal Government has said it is already revising medical curriculum in the nation’s universities in order to address the threatening issue of drug resistance, also known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The minister of health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, announced the review  at the ministerial press briefing to mark the 2011 World Health Day, in Abuja.
The World Health Organization (WHO), the pivotal body for formulating policies affecting public health on a global scale,  is leading the battle against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Superbugs with a 6-point policy plan which was announced last Thursday, April 7.
Since 1950, every year, the organisation focuses on one current and relevant medical issue drawing people’s attention and urging an immediate proactive response reports say.
The organisation turned the spotlight on the theme, ‘Antimicrobial Resistance and its global spread,’ due to the recent outbreaks of diseases spawned by new and virulent drug-resistant strains of bacteria and viruses known commonly as the Super Bugs.
Chukwu, who said the AMR posed a great danger to the achievement of the health, related Millennium Development Goals, particularly MDG6 on malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, disclosed that the exercise is being done in partnership with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the National Universities Commission (NUC).
To achieve this aim, the minister said it was necessary they strengthen the training of prescribers and to improve access to proper medical diagnosis and treatment.
He explains further; “When the micro-organisms become resistant to most antimicrobials, they are often referred to as superbugs. This is a major concern because a resistant infection may kill, can spread to others and impose huge costs on individuals and society.”