Is there progress since the implementation of Kenya AMR National policy and action plan?
Background
In 2017, Kenya launched a national antimicrobial resistance (AMR) policy and action plan to combat AMR, which sought to increase public awareness, increase surveillance, prevent infections, encourage appropriate use of antibiotics and step up research and development.
What has been the progress?
Under the plan, the Ministry of Health is expected to recruit 28 hospitals as surveillance sites by the year 2022. Kenya has also launched a national AMR surveillance strategy, a communication strategy on containment and prevention of AMR, an Infection prevention and control strategy and a health database for 19 sites.
Antimicrobial resistance affects all countries and resistant bacteria do not respect boundaries and achievement of SDGs will be a mirage if nothing is done. To address Antibiotic Resistance there is need for commitment to invest in stronger laboratory systems, promoting good quality medicine, implement and enforce AMR policies among humans, animals and agriculture.
Advocacy tours will be conducted around the country to listen to concerns of citizens as part of the facilitation of data collection which will help in surveillance and control of AMR.
Why AMR data is so important
Kenya needs a robust data collection system that can reveal trends in antibiotic (mis)use in humans and non-humans, awareness level, and surveillance. “Data will not only help in providing evidence-based intervention to implement the AMR policy but will also help in building local and national capacity to address the problem as it will not only show the severity of AMR (mis)use and transmission but also identify sources of infections.” Data provides the power to tackle antimicrobial resistance. We need local data to address local needs. Data is needed on: awareness levels, surveillance, rational use; and for Research and Development.
Important questions that must be addressed as AMR is being addressed in Kenya:
- What is the financial investment required?
- Is the human and laboratory capacity sufficient?
- Is it time to change policy to deter buying antibiotics over the counter?
Some organisations working on antimicrobial resistance in Kenya:
- Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
- Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
- International Livestock Research Institute (CGIAR AMR hub)
- World Animal Protection (Africa)
- ReAct group Africa
- Kenya Medical Research Institute
- University of Nairobi
Feel free to leave your comments, suggestions, additions below.
This post was corrected on 8th February 2020 to change the photo caption from gentamycin to topical antibiotic.
