AMR Surveillance Review was Conducted
The Ethiopian Public Health Institute’s (EPHI) Bacterial, Parasitic and Zoonotic Diseases Research Directorate (BPZDR) successfully conducted the Ethiopian Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Surveillance Annual Review meeting form November 5 – 6, 2018 in Bishoftu town. The AMR Annual Review Meeting has created an opportunity for sentinel site clinical and laboratory administration, AMR focal persons, Regional Health Bureaus, relevant governmental sectors, and AMR partners to meet and review the progress and strategize the way forward in the establishing robust AMR surveillance in Ethiopia. Dr. Eyassu Tigabu, Acting Director of BPZDR, during his opening speech indicated that there is no correct evidence to suggest the exact magnitude of AMR in Ethiopia. “But studies have been done here and there specifically associated with academics show us that AMR is bigger problem. The government has given EPHI, specifically; the clinical bacteriology laboratory, to conduct the surveillance on the selected sentinel sites and report back in order to be utilized by policy makers and other programs,” added Dr. Eyassu. Also on the meeting; the annual AMR surveillance implementation report and findings were presented, AMR surveillance implementation gaps/challenges and possible solutions were identified, general bacteriology laboratory gaps/challenges possible solutions were identified, and bacteriology supply challenges and possible methods to strengthen procurement systems through Pharmaceuticals Fund and Supply Agency (PFSA) were described. Universities and hospitals which are selected sentinel sites, and partner organizations have participated on the meeting.
