Kenya calls for joint approach to tackle AMR

By Lenah Bosibori

Nairobi, 16 Sep…Kenya has called for a joint effort from all government departments and independent organizations to help tackle Anti microbial resistance (AMR).

Speaking recently during a virtual launch of the Report on Using Citizen-Generated Data by Global Partnership and Africa’s Voices to Address Drug Resistant Infections in Kenya, Rashid Aman Chief Administrative Secretary ministry of health said that the complexity posed by AMR in essence.

“We are fully aware that no single government, department or independent organization can tackle AMR alone and that containing, controlling and preventing emergence of AMR demands well-coordinated actions across multiple levels, sectors, disciplines and with a broad range of stakeholders including the citizens,” adds Aman

From the reports of the situation analysis, Kenya is no exception to this threat with increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance being reported in hospitals and communities.

From operational research conducted on public awareness in 2019, levels of awareness on the dangers of AMR are low with 73cent of members of the public interviewed indicating they have never heard of the AMR awareness week and 71 per cent of those interviewed indicated that they trusted doctors who prescribed antibiotics and would move to an alternative if one does not prescribe an antibiotic.

“This is a clear pointer to the enormous task ahead of us in advancing the AMR agenda. In response to this, the Ministry Of Health in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries & Cooperatives joined the concerted regional and international efforts to reduce antimicrobial resistance and ensure the availability of effective antibiotics now and in the future.

 In response to the AMR threat, the two Ministries consolidated national efforts to implement sustainable measures to mitigate any further emergence and spread of AMR according to Dr Aman.

“The Government has taken several measures across various sectors to intensify action against AMR, the implementation of the National Policy and Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance and accompanying strategies on Surveillance,” said Aman.

“Our National AMR surveillance system is now established with 16 laboratories (10 human health and 6 animal health laboratories) in the network up from 2 in 2017 when the policy was launched,” said Dr Aman.

In view of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, several studies globally have indicated a high rate of antimicrobial prescribing and self-medication for those with symptoms of Covid-19, much of which is unnecessarily promoting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as most of the initial illnesses being treated have been from covid-19 viral infection.

“We cannot fight resistance if people are not aware, empowered and if they do not take action in making the right decisions. Everyone can and should be Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness champion and by people we don’t just mean the technical experts, we mean ordinary citizens who make daily decisions that affect their health,” he added.