Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a major global threat across human, animal, plant, food, and environmental sectors. To address this, the World Health Organisation(WHO) recently trained over 40 health professionals on AMR stewardship, integrated surveillance guidelines, and AMR reporting tools in Leribe District.

According to the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, AMR poses a grave challenge to our communities, health systems, and economies.

“AMR occurs when disease-causing germs stop responding to frequently prescribed antimicrobial medicines. It jeopardizes our ability to treat common infections, increases the cost of treatment, and disrupts the progress we have made in combating diseases”.

In line with the regional strategy for expanding the implementation and monitoring of the national action plans on AMR, Dr. Moeti reiterated the need to build resilient health systems, strengthen surveillance, and carry out nationwide targeted AMR awareness campaigns involving various sectors to promote capacity-building of professionals on AMR.

Mafaso Mothibeli, Deputy Pharmacy Manager, at Queen Mamohato Hospital, described the workshop as a learning platform.

“Through this workshop, I have understood the importance of accurate and appropriate prescription of antimicrobials. That means knowing the right AMR for a certain infection. I also learned that this AMR does not only affect humans but also the environment. All prescribers such as doctors and nurses should adhere to standard treatment guidelines and protocols”, Mothibeli stated.

Sekoala Thamae, a nurse from Ntsekle Hospital stated that “this workshop has improved my understanding of AMR resistance, the knowledge gathered from here will help us to make the proper diagnosis and prescription. The topic of surveillance was quite fascinating, now I know the tools that will help us to identify any resistance”.

At the end of the workshop, the participants resolved to conduct step-down training for clinical persons, work with the hospital management to start conducting antimicrobial sensitivity tests, and hold other sensitization campaigns in the districts.

Every year, the international community observes World AMR Awareness Week from 18 to 24 November to raise awareness of the risks posed by the inappropriate use of antimicrobial medicines in humans, animals, and crops and encourage their responsible use to reduce the emergence and spread of AMR.

This year’s theme, “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together,” calls for urgent multisectoral action in the context of the One Health approach to preserve the efficacy of antimicrobial medicines.