What do climate change and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have in common? The World Health Organization states that climate change is one of humanity’s biggest health threats, and this is exacerbating another – the spread of drug-resistant superbugs. Ecosystem disruption can also be a catalyst for emerging infectious diseases that may subsequently lead to pandemics, increased use of antibiotics, and a rise in AMR.
AMR and emerging infectious diseases preparedness
At the recent Regional World Health Summit in New Delhi on Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) preparedness in South East Asia, hosted by Jhpiego, the Fleming Fund led a critical panel session: ‘AMR – The Unseen Threat in EID Preparedness’. This highlighted the urgent issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its interconnection with global health security, innovation, and multi-sectoral collaboration.
Co-moderated by Dr Neha Gulati, Fleming Fund South Asia Regional Coordinator for Mott MacDonald, and Dr Nochiketa Mohanty, Associate Director, Jhpiego (India), the session brought together leading voices in the AMR space across South Asia – sharing their experiences and health systems-level lessons from the region. Each speaker provided unique perspectives on strengthening AMR surveillance, building cross-sectoral systems, and integrating technology and innovation into national responses.
(Above): Fleming Fund panel ‘AMR – The Unseen Threat in EID Preparedness’ at Regional World Health Summit in New Delhi.
Chaired by Dr Eduardo Banzon from the Asian Development Bank, the panel featured:
- Dr Lata Kapoor (NCDC, India)
- Dr Taslimarif Saiyed (C-CAMP)
- Dr Ritu Amatya (Fleming Fund, FHI360, Nepal)
- Dr Nimesh Poudyal (Fleming Fund, IVI, Seoul)
Dr Kapoor opened the conversation by sharing India’s progress in operationalising its National Action Plan (NAP) on AMR and shaping its upcoming NAP 2.0 − emphasising the importance of a health systems strengthening approach to managing AMR. Dr Saiyed highlighted the transformative role of India’s AMR innovation ecosystem, including diagnostics and digital tools.
Dr Amatya offered practical insights from Nepal’s work supported by the Fleming Fund, focusing on strengthening lab networks, data systems, and multi-sectoral coordination. Dr Poudyal discussed how vaccine strategies and IVI-led regional collaborations through the Fleming Fund are reducing the infection burden and antimicrobial consumption (AMC).
Dr Banzon (middle) chairing the Fleming Fund panel session. Dr Gulati (left) and Dr Kapoor (right).
The panellists focused on the importance of co-development and collaboration for a successful One Health approach in tackling AMR by strengthening and aligning governance structures. Generating high-quality data for analysis to inform policy decisions was identified as a primary step.
Evidence is vital in AMR, AMU (antimicrobial use), and AMC to create political will in-country. For One Health, there is a need to strengthen local systems to ensure adequate capacities on the ground and last-mile delivery.
Dr Ritu Amatya, Project Director, Fleming Fund Country Grant, FHI360.
In a follow-up round of cross-panel reflections, the discussion deepened around operationalising One Health, workforce and lab system strengthening, and enhancing the use of AMR and AMU data for informed policymaking. The conversation stressed the value of country-owned, system-level approaches combined with adaptable innovations that respond to context-specific needs.
Indonesia excels in cross-sector collaboration, with strong willingness in the Ministries to share data. However, aligning and integrating multiple IT systems and databases across sectors remains a challenge, requiring well-aligned incentives. Another challenge is effectively communicating research findings for action and scaling successful pilots in AMR and One Health.
Thomas Weaver, Fleming Fund Country Grant lead in Indonesia, DAI.
The session endorsed the Fleming Fund’s regional leadership in building robust AMR surveillance systems, promoting One Health integration, and supporting countries to move from data to action. It also underscored the urgency of sustaining these efforts through joint platforms, policy alignment, and continued investment in innovation and capacity development.
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