Integrating Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance and Stewardship into Cancer Care in Katsina State, Nigeria: A Pilot Study to Inform National Cancer Control Planning

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, and cancer patients are particularly at risk due to immunosuppression, frequent hospitalizations, and repeated antibiotic use. In Katsina State, there is limited data on AMR patterns in oncology care, leading to delayed diagnosis, treatment failures, and increased morbidity and mortality.
This project aims to establish a comprehensive AMR surveillance system in cancer care facilities across Katsina State. It will strengthen laboratory diagnostic capacity, standardize specimen collection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and train healthcare workers on AMR detection and rational antibiotic use. Systematic data collection, reporting, and analysis will enable timely use of surveillance findings to inform clinical decisions and policy planning.
The project will employ a results-based Monitoring and Evaluation framework to track progress, assess outcomes, and ensure accountability. Key outcomes include improved laboratory and clinical capacity, reliable AMR data for cancer patients, enhanced antimicrobial stewardship practices, and strengthened institutional coordination.
In the long term, the project will reduce the prevalence of resistant infections among cancer patients, improve treatment outcomes, and build sustainable capacity for AMR detection and management in the state. By generating actionable evidence, the initiative will support state-level policy development, contribute to national AMR control efforts, and strengthen health system resilience against emerging resistant pathogens.
This initiative addresses a critical gap in AMR surveillance in oncology care, ensuring that vulnerable patients in Katsina State receive safer, evidence-based treatment while supporting sustainable strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance.