By Belinda Ngure and Makena Mwenda
Africa’s top laboratory and public health experts have sounded a grave warning over the rapid spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), declaring it the continent’s most lethal health threat. They are urging governments to take immediate corrective action.
Speaking at the opening of the 2nd ASLM Special Convention on Diagnostics in Nairobi, ASLM Chief Executive Mr. Nqobile Ndlovu described AMR as a “silent, invisible pandemic” that is tightening its grip on the continent.
“A patient admitted to a hospital in Nairobi, Kampala or Dakar is today more likely to die from a drug-resistant infection than from almost any other cause,” Ndlovu told hundreds of delegates from across Africa and beyond.
Global estimates show that AMR caused 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019, with sub-Saharan Africa recording the highest mortality rate. A recent ASLM survey presented at the conference painted an even more alarming picture: just 1.3 per cent of Africa’s designated medical laboratories can reliably determine which antibiotics remain effective against specific infections — a critical diagnostic process known as antibiotic susceptibility testing.
“For too long we have been fighting blind,” Ndlovu said. “Prescribing antibiotics without diagnostic tests endangers patients and accelerates resistance.”
Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Public Health, Mary Muthoni, echoed the urgency, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of health systems lacking strong diagnostic capacity.
“No health system is stronger than its ability to detect, diagnose and respond,” she said in remarks delivered on her behalf. “No country can tackle AMR or future pandemics alone.”
Experts issued a set of urgent recommendations, including: Heavy investment in laboratory infrastructure and quality standards; Strict regulation of over-the-counter antibiotic sales; regional AMR surveillance networks for rapid data sharing; Innovative and sustainable financing beyond traditional donor support.
The three-day convention, themed “Strengthening Diagnostics, AMR Surveillance and Innovative Financing for Impact,” is expected to conclude with a Nairobi Declaration, which African governments will be urged to endorse.
On his part, Dr Yenew Kebede Tebeje, Ag. Director for the Centre for Laboratory Diagnostics and Systems at Africa CDC, expressed strong concern that antimicrobial resistance is rapidly evolving into a health, development, and economic crisis. He warned that this crisis has a potential to shrink global GDP by up to 3% by 2030 if left unaddressed.
Experts warned that without swift and coordinated action, routine infections could once again become fatal, and common medical procedures may carry heightened risk. They cautioned that the economic fallout for already strained health systems could reach hundreds of billions of dollars if AMR remains unaddressed.
Africa, they agreed, has become the global epicentre of the AMR crisis, and failure to act now could have devastating long-term consequences for public health and development. ASLM has been in forefront championing for quality laboratory practices on the continent.