The Gombe State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Jhpiego and eHealth Africa, has launched the ComWatch App to promote responsible use of antibiotics across communities.
The initiative is part of the Community Access to Effective Antibiotics Project, aimed at tackling antimicrobial resistance, a growing public health threat affecting humans, animals, and the environment.
Experts warn that antimicrobial resistance could lead to an estimated thirty-nine million deaths over the next twenty-five years, especially in low- and middle-income countries, if urgent action is not taken.
To address the challenge, partners say the ComWatch App is designed to help users detect substandard and falsified antibiotics, as well as verify the safety of medicines before use.
Speaking at the launch, former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, stressed the importance of monitoring antibiotic use to prevent resistance and protect public health.
Gombe State Team Lead representing the Jhpiego Nigeria Project Director, Mr. Ibrahim Nenge, said the app will support pharmacists and healthcare workers in tracking medicine stocks and ensuring compliance with prescribed treatments.
Stakeholders, including traditional leaders, health professionals, and regulatory agencies, identified misuse and overuse of antibiotics as major causes of resistance, alongside the circulation of fake and substandard drugs.
They noted that the app will also enable community pharmacists and medicine vendors to report suspected misuse, manage inventory, and support efforts by health authorities to enforce treatment guidelines.
Officials describe the initiative as a major step toward combating antimicrobial resistance, safeguarding public health, and preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics.
