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.
Value of surveillance: Fleming Fund Change Story
The Fleming Fund was created in 2015-16 to strengthen national AMR surveillance systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Fleming Fund supported 23 countries during its first phase of implementation from 2018 to 2022. Building on the Global Action Plan on AMR, the programme strengthened laboratory systems, trained the health workforce, and promoted a One Health approach in national AMR leadership and governance structures.
Analysis of programme data reveals a transformative change story across more than 250 laboratories in human, animal health and environmental sectors. This report documents the rationale and need for AMR surveillance in LMICs. The required changes for the establishment and strengthening of national AMR surveillance systems; and what changes occurred over the period 2018-2022 in Fleming Fund-supported surveillance sites.
Summary ─ A Change Story: The Fleming Fund strengthening AMR surveillance systems in low- and middle-income countries (2018–2022):
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Knowledge Notes
From Knowledge Notes, First line of defence: AMR One Health and the climate crisis , Date: 04/07/2023
A plaque on the side of the Saint Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, UK, commemorates the discovery of penicillin, the first antibiotic, in 1928. Fungal spores, blown by the wind, landed on Sir Alexander Fleming's Petri dishes killing the bacteria he was growing leading to a revolution in medicine.