November 28, 2024: Dar es Salaam As we close out Antimicrobial Awareness Week this year, the Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam is proud to have hosted the WAAW 2024 Symposium: Advancing Awareness, Action, and Sustainability. Under the theme “Educate. Advocate. Act Now,” this symposium brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers to share insights, advocate for actionable solutions, and collaborate in the fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
Event Highlights:
- Understanding AMR: Challenges and Solutions: The symposium kicked off with an in-depth exploration of the role antibiotics play in healthcare, alongside the growing local and global challenges of AMR. Experts shared key findings from a recent AMR survey conducted in Tanzania and discussed the Global Action Plan to combat AMR, highlighting critical strategies to address the rising threat.
- Optimizing Antibiotic Use for Healthier Communities: The second session focused on the critical need to optimize antimicrobial use in both human and animal health. Discussions centered on antibiotic stewardship, the pivotal role of diagnostics, and the impact vaccines can have in reducing the spread of AMR.
- Strengthening Surveillance and Data for Action: In this session, experts highlighted the importance of robust monitoring systems for tracking antimicrobial use (AMU) and resistance. They stressed the need for improved data utilization to inform healthcare decisions and shape future AMR policies.
- Implementing Key Interventions to Combat AMR: This session emphasized the importance of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, hygiene protocols, and public health campaigns. Presenters shared valuable insights on how community-level engagement and hospital-based interventions can help limit the spread of antimicrobial-resistant infections.
- Policy, Regulation, and Investment in AMR Solutions: The final session addressed the critical role of policy and regulation in the fight against AMR. Discussions highlighted the need for sustainable investment in new antibiotics, diagnostics, and vaccines, along with the importance of comprehensive economic impact assessments to build a case for continued action.
Key Takeaways:
- AMR remains a critical global health issue, requiring immediate, coordinated action from healthcare providers, governments, and communities.
- Antibiotic stewardship, advanced diagnostics, and the development of new treatments and vaccines are essential in the fight against AMR.
- Cross-sector collaboration, robust governance, and sustainable investments will ensure long-term solutions and the future of effective healthcare.
This symposium marked a significant step forward in fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and advocating for actionable solutions to AMR. By working together, we can safeguard the future of antibiotics and ensure better healthcare outcomes for all.
About AKHST:
Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) stands as one of the pivotal agencies within the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), dedicated to advancing health initiatives. Operating as a private, not-for-profit organization, AKHS has established itself as an integrated health system spanning across Tanzania. It boasts robust linkages and partnerships with the Government of Tanzania, primarily through the Ministry of Health, alongside other key national and international stakeholders. The organization comprises two hospitals located in Mwanza and Dar es Salaam, along with 22 Outreach Health Centres (OHCs) spread across 13 regions of mainland Tanzania, and an additional facility situated in Zanzibar Island.
For more information, please contact:
Geofrey Anael
PR Coordinator,
Aga Khan Health Service, Tanzania
+255 654 540 226
geofrey.anael@akhst.org