ReAct Africa and South Centre co-hosted the 9th regional AMR annual conference in partnership with International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS), Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), AMR Policy Accelerator and support from The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Wellcome Trust, the Fleming Fund and the Ministry of Health Zambia through Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI). The conference was hosted in Livingstone, Zambia from 9th -11th July 2024 under the theme " Global Accountability for AMR response: Investing in priorities for Africa.".
Participants comprised of representatives from:
- the Quadripartite (FAO, WHO & WOAH)
- Honorable Member of Parliament of the Republic of Zambia
- Africa CDC
- Ministry representatives from various countries
- AMR focal persons
- representatives from the human, animal, agricultural and environmental sector
- media representatives
- students
- members of civil society
- and researchers from across the African continent.
145 participants attended physically from 47 counties.
ReAct Africa also commemorated 10 years of impact on the Africa continent. The celebration took place at a black-tie Gala during the conference.
Key Takeaways from the ReAct Africa and South Centre AMR Conference 2024
1. Enhance Global Accountability and Governance for AMR Response: Strengthening global accountability mechanisms and adopting effective governance models are essential to ensure that governments and organizations remain committed to their AMR promises, particularly in implementing their National Action Plans (NAPs).
2. Increase Investment and Develop an Economic Case for AMR: Securing increased financial investment in AMR priorities, especially in low- and middle-income countries, is critical. Building a strong economic case for AMR investment will help secure sustainable funding and highlight the cost-effectiveness of preventive measures.
3. Integrate AMR into Vertical Health Programs and Public Health Initiatives: Integrating AMR efforts into existing vertical health programs (such as TB, HIV, and malaria) and broader public health initiatives ensures a comprehensive approach to addressing AMR, leveraging existing infrastructure and resources.
4. Promote innovative access models and market shaping for antibiotics and diagnostics: Innovative models for improving access to antibiotics, diagnostics, and health technologies are crucial. Exploring market-shaping strategies and fostering public-private partnerships will ensure sustainable and affordable access, particularly in resource-limited settings.
5. Strengthen research and development (R&D) for new antibiotics and diagnostics: Advancing the research and development agenda for new antibiotics, diagnostics, and vaccines is vital to staying ahead of emerging resistant pathogens. A holistic approach to drug discovery and development is necessary to address the complex challenges of AMR.
6. Leverage digital technology and big data for AMR surveillance and response: Digital technology and big data play transformative roles in enhancing AMR surveillance, education, and intervention strategies. Utilizing these tools can improve data collection, analysis, and sharing, leading to more effective AMR responses.
7. Expand community and youth engagement in AMR efforts: Strengthening community engagement, including the involvement of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and faith-based groups, is key to raising awareness and driving grassroots AMR initiatives. Expanding youth engagement programs will help sustain AMR efforts and build future leadership.
8. Implement gender-sensitive approaches in AMR Iinterventions: Incorporating gender-sensitive approaches into AMR strategies is crucial for addressing the diverse impacts of AMR across different populations, ensuring that interventions are effective and equitable.
9. Promote the One Health Framework for a multi-sectoral AMR response: The One Health framework, which links human, animal, and environmental health, is essential for a coordinated and comprehensive AMR response. Building multisectoral partnerships across these sectors is key to tackling AMR effectively.
10. Leverage the role of media and faith-based sectors in raising AMR awareness: The media is a powerful tool in raising public awareness about AMR. Effective media engagement, along with the involvement of faith-based organizations, which play significant roles in community health, is crucial for educating the public and influencing policy.
More from "ReAct Africa Network (RAN) Conferences"
- RAN Conference 2024 Summary
- RAN Conference 2024