Blueprint to Combat Africa’s Antimicrobial Resistance Crisis Launched
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A new initiative aimed at enhancing the collection, management, and analysis of data on antibiotic use and resistance in 14 African countries has been launched.
This is part of a broader strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a mounting public health threat that causes millions of deaths annually and exerts increasing pressure on vulnerable economies across the continent.
The African Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Blueprint, spearheaded by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), provides a unified framework for standardizing data collection and analysis.
By coordinating efforts across the region, the blueprint seeks to improve early detection of AMR and streamline responses to outbreaks.
“This blueprint is essential for establishing systems that can generate the data needed to understand AMR across various regions,” said Nqobile Ndlovu, CEO of the ASLM, at the initiative’s launch.
Ndlovu noted that the plan also includes strategies for capacity building through training and monitoring, ensuring that laboratories are equipped to tackle the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance.
Despite ongoing efforts, significant gaps in Africa’s ability to combat AMR persist.
A recent study by Africa CDC and ASLM, under the Mapping Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use Partnership (MAAP), found that only 1.3 percent of laboratories in Africa are conducting the bacteriological testing needed to monitor AMR.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the crisis, that number must increase to at least 50 percent.
In the 14 African countries surveyed, only five of the 15 priority antibiotic-resistant pathogens are consistently tested.
Strengthening laboratory infrastructure and expanding testing capabilities are seen as critical steps to addressing these gaps.
Ndlovu stressed that improving laboratory systems could be a “game changer” in the fight against AMR.
However, financial constraints remain a major hurdle. Experts estimate that Africa needs between $2 billion and $6 billion annually to mount an effective response to AMR, but current funding levels fall far short of that target.
Dr. Yewande Alimi of Africa CDC pointed out that AMR in Africa will be a key issue at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where African leaders will seek to secure more international funding, “We are strongly advocating for global partners to invest in this effort so that more African countries can address the AMR crisis.”
In addition to surveillance, preventive measures such as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and infection prevention and control (IPC) are seen as cost-effective solutions.
Experts believe that implementing these strategies could reduce AMR-related deaths by up to 20 percent annually.
With the launch of the AMR Surveillance Blueprint, Africa CDC and ASLM are urging African nations to prioritize AMR surveillance and collaborate to strengthen public health systems.
By adhering to the blueprint’s guidelines, African countries could play a pivotal role in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance, safeguarding both lives and economies.
Suleiman Mbatiah
With a knack for captivating storytelling, Amos Lumbasi has a talent for crafting narratives that resonate with readers. He combines meticulous research with a captivating writing style to create articles that are both informative and enjoyable to read.
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