Gombe State has taken a significant step in the fight against antimicrobial resistance with the launch of the ComWatch application, a digital tool designed to help residents verify the quality of antibiotics before use.
Speaking during the Community Access to Effective Antibiotics onboarding and training in Gombe, the State Team Lead of Jhpiego, Ibrahim Nenge, said the initiative is part of broader efforts to address growing public health concerns linked to substandard and falsified medicines.
“We are currently implementing three major projects in the state with support from the Global Fund, including quality improvement initiatives and sexual and reproductive health programmes,” Nenge said. “The ComWatch project, funded by the Trinity Challenge, focuses specifically on tackling antimicrobial resistance.”
According to him, the ComWatch app enables users to scan antibiotics and instantly verify their authenticity and safety.
“The idea is to provide a simple technological solution that allows community members to identify substandard antibiotics. Once a drug is scanned, the app will indicate whether it is safe, suspicious, or should not be used,” he explained.
Nenge noted that the application is integrated with the database of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), particularly its Green Book, which contains approved drug formulations.
“When users scan a product, the app cross-checks it with the NAFDAC Green Book to confirm if it meets required standards. This will help ensure that only safe and effective antibiotics are used,” he added.
He emphasised that while the app does not provide dosage guidance, it offers key information such as expiration dates and drug composition, empowering users to make informed decisions.
Highlighting the broader goal of the project, Nenge said data generated from the app would support evidence-based decision-making and strengthen community participation in healthcare.
“We want community members to take ownership of their health by verifying the drugs they use. This will go a long way in reducing antimicrobial resistance, which remains a major public health challenge,” he said.
On adoption strategy, Nenge disclosed that stakeholders including community and religious leaders, pharmacists, Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs), and the media would play critical roles in driving awareness and usage.
“These groups will serve as key drivers in sensitising the public. We are also working closely with the media to ensure widespread awareness of the app and its benefits,” he said.
He revealed that the project targets coverage across all 11 local government areas of the state, with an initial goal of reaching thousands of users within the first quarter.
“We aim to have a significant number of individuals using the app on a monthly basis to verify antibiotics before consumption,” he stated.
The project is being implemented by Jhpiego in partnership with eHealth Africa, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and other federal agencies, using a One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health systems.
Earlier, the outgoing Gombe State Commissioner for Health, Habu Dahiru, urged residents to support the initiative, stressing the need for collective action to curb antimicrobial resistance.
“This project will only succeed with the support and active participation of the community. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that the drugs we consume are safe,” Dahiru said.
The ComWatch app is expected to enhance public confidence in medicines and contribute to the reduction of drug resistance across the state.
