Experts warn of rising malnutrition, drug-resistant infections as threats to public health
Health experts have raised the alarm over the growing crises of malnutrition and drug-resistant infections, warning that they pose serious threats to the nation’s public health without urgent and coordinated action.
They raised these concerns at the Gatefield Health Summit held in Abuja, which brought together policymakers, health experts, and innovators to advance resilient, equitable, and locally driven health systems.
Felicia Anumah, a health analyst, revealed that Nigeria currently has about 19.8 million malnourished children, the highest figure in Africa, while obesity rates continue to climb, creating a “double burden” of undernutrition and overnutrition.
Vivian Kwaghe, another health expert, described antimicrobial resistance as “a man-made crisis,” calling for coordinated surveillance across human, animal, and environmental health systems to combat the growing threat.
Across multiple panels, experts agreed that Africa’s next health revolution will come from within, through bold investments in research, robust data systems, and homegrown digital infrastructure.
They emphasised the need for a fundamental shift toward data-driven and locally led health systems, noting that Africa’s path to resilience will depend on how effectively it invests in research, innovation, and evidence-based policymaking.
Experts stressed that the continent’s health future will not only be determined by funding levels but also by how well countries leverage data and local expertise to design smarter systems that reflect their realities.
Read also: Rising drug-resistant infection becoming silent pandemic in Nigeria – Pate
“Resilient systems are data-driven systems. When technology, evidence, and human insight work together, they enhance accountability, efficiency, and long-term sustainability,” said Adaeze Eche-George, program associate at Corona Management Systems (CMS).
The summit concluded with a unified call to action: to achieve lasting health resilience, Africa must invest in evidence, empower its innovators, and translate research into policy.
The highlight of the event was a presentation by Corona Management Systems (CMS), a leading provider of technical assistance and ICT-enabled solutions, showcasing how African-led innovation is transforming the design and delivery of public health systems.
