Africa needs a robust network of laboratories in its quest to deal with the increasing risk of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Mr. Nqoblie Ndlovu, the CEO Africa Society of Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) has said.
The CEO also challenged governments in Africa in invest in laboratories saying that is one of the best ways of collecting big data in a bid to understand the phantom of AMR.
Mr Ndlovu made the remarks in Nairobi on Friday during the launch of African Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Surveillance Blueprint. The masterplan, the first of its kind in Africa, is a significant milestone towards combating AMR.
“We would like the governments to take steps to invest in laboratory strengthening. To put some resources so that number one we’re producing bigger amounts of data, we’re producing enough data on antimicrobial resistance,” he said.
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBR_FURHxkY
Mr. Ndlovu continued: “We need to understand what those pathogens are, what are those organism that have become resistant, that no longer respond to the available treatment …only 1.3% of the labs in 14 countries can test for the pathogens… that’s the challenge, that’s the gap that we have,” Mr. Ndlovu explained.
Importantly, the AMR surveillance guidelines target 14 countries in Africa, for a start. It is the first of its kind in a bid to respond to the yawning gaps in data management around AMR.
“The African Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance guideline was developed to provide guidance for strengthening AMR surveillance across Africa, standardizing practices, and fostering collaboration among countries and sectors, while aligning national efforts with continental and global strategies,” read a statement from ASLM.
Other high level speakers during the launch included Dr. Charles Kandie Director of Standards AMRCC, Ministry of Health, Kenya, Dr. John Kirui, Director of Laboratories, Ministry of Health, Kenya and Dr. Yewande Alimi, One health Coordinator, Africa CDC.
Dr. Alimi noted that Africa will prosecute the AMR case at this year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). She reiterated that global partners need to join efforts with African actors in the battled against AMR.
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dizjLCpeocY
It has been established that the financial requirements for an effective AMR response in Africa are estimated at US$ 2-6 billion annually, yet current funding is only a tenth of that allocated to other major disease areas. It is this anomaly that Dr. Alimi seeks to be corrected through more funds towards AMR.
For Evelyne Wesangula, the blueprint is a significant milestone. WATCH EVELYNE here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrrhosMEBlA
The blueprint was developed with support from the UK government Fleming Fund, and key organizations such as ASLM, Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), and the West African Health Organization (WAHO).