On February 9, 2025, the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS) jointly organized a fundamental pre-conference session together with the East Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) in Lilongwe, Malawi.
A meeting called “Transforming Political Commitments on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Into Action” gathered a total of 60 participants who joined representatives from the ECSA-HC member states Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mauritius alongside experts from other African countries and representatives from WHO, FAO and the organizations ECHO and ReAct Africa.
This meeting received financial support from Wellcome to fulfil their goals with ICARS for better antibiotic stewardship practices while exploring “Driving Change: High-Level Commitments, Grassroots Actions.” Discussions addressed critical topics, including:
- Advocacy and Education: Elevating awareness of AMR through targeted campaigns and educational programs.
- The One Health approach enables organizations to conduct integrated operations that enhance all-inclusive AMR response programs.
- The implementation of gender equity principles must be included within AMR National Action Plans (NAPs) to build strategies that welcome inclusion for all.
- The organization supports research activities to create new innovative strategies against AMR challenges.
The executive director of ICARS Dr Sujith J. Chandy delivered the main presentation by showing why immediate implementation of political strategies remains essential. The collaborative group delivered six essential recommendations to the Health Ministers during the main conference.
1. The members should dedicate their national budgets to fund AMR and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) interventions by the year 2030.
2. A One Health regional learning hub will develop to provide extensive training about AMR and IPC through the establishment of educational initiatives.
3. The implementation of WHO-defined minimum IPC program standards along with WASH and AMS requirements into national healthcare quality and accreditation systems represents the fourth essential goal.
4. The establishment of improved surveillance systems aims to monitor AMR patterns together with healthcare infections and antimicrobial prescription habits.
5. The implementation of AMR NAPs must include gender equity principles together with measures to change prevailing gender norms.
6. A more robust regulatory system must exist across public and private sectors to monitor antimicrobial substance and diagnostic products during both distribution and consumption to stop misuse.
During the ECSA-HC 74th Health Ministers Conference of February 10-12, 2025, all present ministers accepted these recommendations officially. The combined dedication marks a major achievement in the regional AMR control strategy which protects both healthcare and sustainable development throughout Africa.
The meeting demonstrated the essential role of teamwork together with funding distribution and policy integration for proper management of antimicrobial resistance challenges across Africa.
