From People to Leaders Supporter: The RBA Initiative calls for global action on AMR: "We must leave no one behind"

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis that threatens to undermine decades of medical progress. As the effectiveness of our current antibiotics wanes, we face a future where common infections could once again become deadly. The From People to Leaders: Act on AMR now campaign and its Call for Global Action represent a crucial step in mobilizing world leaders and communities to address this pressing issue.

Here in this interview Erick Venant, Founder of Roll Back Antimicrobial Resistance Initiative (RBA Initiative), a non-governmental organization in Tanzania explains why his organization has joined the campaign and signed the Call for Global Action.

What motivated the RBA Initiative to support the campaign From People to Leaders: Act on AMR now and sign this Call for Global Action?

– Over the past six years, the RBA Initiative has been working to engage the community and the public on AMR. We have learned that recognizing both individual behaviors and structural determinants of AMR is crucial. Leaders should be at the centre of addressing systemic drivers of AMR, such as the affordability of quality healthcare services and access to preventive measures like safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, and addressing inequities in these issues. Hence, this call for Global Action is critical.

Why do you think it’s important for civil society groups and communities to come together and raise their collective voice on this issue?

– We should not leave anyone behind in tackling AMR, necessitating both bottom-up and top-down approaches. Civil society organizations are closely connected to communities, and their collective voice would play a crucial role in ensuring and advocating for action within both national and global AMR action plans. We have learned from previous interventions in addressing various health challenges such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and even COVID-19, where collective efforts had a significant impact.

Based on your work, what are some examples you have seen of how AMR affects these communities? What specific actions should governments take to address these inequities?

– Access to quality healthcare services varies significantly for vulnerable and marginalized populations, who bear a disproportionate burden of AMR. These communities encounter greater challenges in treating resistant infections due to existing healthcare disparities, including difficulties in accessing effective treatment options and affording necessary services such as diagnostics and second-line antimicrobials needed to treat resistant infections

– One approach to address these inequities is for governments to integrate an AMR lens into their universal health coverage (UHC) strategies. Given the financial strain resistant infections impose on healthcare systems, it is crucial to incorporate AMR considerations into UHC planning and implementation.

–  Key actions include strengthening preventive services to reduce reliance on antibiotics and other antimicrobials, enhancing primary healthcare to prioritize infection prevention and vaccination, and promoting balanced access to antimicrobials through effective stewardship practices. These steps are important so countries can work towards achieving universal health coverage while simultaneously mitigating antimicrobial resistance.

Can you share some successful examples of how your organization has worked to educate and mobilize the public on this issue? What more needs to be done?

– The RBA Initiative’s approach to public and community engagement is an inspiring example of creative, community-focused support on a global scale. One of its notable programs, the Roll Back AMR School Clubs, was highlighted as a positive example of community-focused support during the UN High-Level Interactive Dialogue on AMR on April 29, 2021. This program empowers school children to become agents of change, encouraging their families and communities to adopt behaviors that reduce the spread and emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Using arts and crafts, AMR concepts are communicated in an accessible and understandable way.

– However, we all need more efforts to further reach marginalized groups and rural communities. Efforts must be increased to address public awareness and AMR education inequities and to advocate for solutions to the structural determinants of AMR.

Learn more about the work of the RBA Initiative

Roll Back AMR School Clubs-Equipping AMR Agents of Change

Empowering journalists to raise AMR awareness and promote positive behavioral change on AMR and antimicrobial use.

Public engagement-Roll Back AMR arts and craft exhibitions