From the ReAct Africa and South Centre Conference 2019
The 2019 edition of ReAct Africa and South Centre Conference was held from 23rd to 25th July in Nairobi Kenya with focus on addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the pathway to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The conference organised by ReAct Africa and South Centre, gathered over 110 multi-sector participants from 33 countries.
The participants were drawn from human, animal and environmental health sectors, experts on UHC and AMR, civil society representatives, representatives from intergovernmental agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and various Ministries of health among others.
Through presentations, discussions and sharing of case studies, the 3-day conference, delved into a range of themes in the context of AMR and on efforts towards the attainment of UHC. These include country progress in the implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs) on AMR, infection prevention and control, One-Health concept, surveillance and diagnostics, medicines quality and regulation, AMR in the animal and environmental sectors, nutrition, antimicrobial stewardship, sustainable financing for UHC among others.
AMR is a global challenge, a threat to health gains and the attainment of global sustainable goals and the efforts to achieve UHC. “AMR is increasingly becoming one of the key global challenges and at the same time the people in the developing countries will suffer the most,” notes Viviana Muñoz Tellez, Coordinator, Health, Intellectual Property and Development Programme, South Centre. It is important to streamline efforts to address AMR in the context of UHC as UHC provides the best framework to address AMR.
More countries in Africa are making progress in the development and implementation of NAPs on AMR and forums like ReAct and South Centre Conference provide platforms for sharing country experiences and learning from such progress. Sustained multi-sectorial collaborations through clear governance actions are critical for implementations of NAPs.
The conference underscored strong, resilient primary health system is a fundamental element of addressing AMR and a key component in the progress to the attainment of UHC. By reducing the incidence of infection through effective sanitation, hygiene and infection, prevention and control measures, we reduce the need for the use of antimicrobials. “We require well-structured resilient systems that will prioritize on prevention, not to treatment”, says Dr. Jane Lwoyero, Program officer, World Organization on Animal Health.
Healthcare workforce play a major role in the handling of antibiotics and building their knowledge capacity is an important facet of antibiotic stewardship especially in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).
By integrating UHC and AMR, the conference explored the importance of working with local national governments’ health ministries and also Ministries of Finance to achieve health goals and health as a human right. Both economic cases and improved AMR data were needed to drive the attention and action of policymakers. Effective governance is central to improving quality in healthcare delivery.
Investing in quality-assured medicines underlines the effectiveness of treatment. Poor-quality medicines lead to exposure to sub-therapeutic environments that breed resistance. Investing in quality medicines ensures better health and economic outcomes and better chance of realizing UHC.
Participants expressed renewed momentum with more understanding on how AMR affects global efforts of healthcare including UHC and Sustainable Development Goals. “The learning and exchange of experiences on the antimicrobial resistance situation and policy responses at the country level, including on National Action Plans, needs, successes and challenges faced in implementation will go a long way in informing the UHC and AMR global agenda.” Dr. Mirfin Mpundu, Head ReAct Africa. Countries also expressed an interest in sharing progress at hopefully another ReAct–Africa conference.