AMR worsens through misuse of antibiotics, non-compliance to prescriptions, poor prescribing habits and use of fake or counterfeit medicines- which have lower doses of the active ingredient.
This has been blamed on weak regulation, lack of awareness, and poor unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and poor Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC).
African Union said to address AMR there is need for accountable governance and implementation of National Action Plans, advocacy for One Health approach integrating human, animal, and environmental health sectors, and robust surveillance and reporting systems.
The Africa CDC and African Union Inter-Africa Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) teams have been actively developing a landmark report of African priorities and outcomes for AMR, ahead of the AMR High-Level Meeting at the UN General Assembly in September 2024.
In a statement the AU said it is engaging in a series of consultation meetings with multi-sectoral experts, in line with a One Health approach.
Recently the AU convened AMR expert dialogue workshop to provide input on the planned outcomes for the AMR High-Level meeting at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 2024) to establish a common understanding of top AMR challenges and solutions to the same.
To address AMR drivers in the African context the meeting called for preventative measures to address transmission through capacity building of health workers, creating awareness to drive action through WASH and IPC practices, vaccination campaigns, and animal husbandry/ biosecurity practices).
The Coordinator of the Economics, Trade, and Marketing Unit/Food Safety Officer, AU-IBAR, John Oppong-Otoo, highlighted the challenges posed by the increasing antimicrobial resistance.
"The rise of antimicrobial resistance complicates the treatment of infections, leading to longer hospital stays, increased mortality rates, and higher healthcare costs. In countries with limited resources and healthcare infrastructure, the burden of AMR can be especially challenging to manage," Oppong-Otoo said.
"Furthermore, the environmental dimension of AMR cannot be overlooked. The discharge of antimicrobial residues from agricultural runoff, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and improper disposal of unused medications can contribute to the spread of resistance genes in soil, water, and air, impacting ecosystems and potentially exacerbating the problem," he added.
Africa CDC and AU-IBAR said AMR targets, baselines, and surveillance measures need to be set in accordance with the realities of local populations.
They called for improved data tracking and surveillance systems, particularly in the animal, agriculture, and environment sector, where data is less standardised than the human health sector.
The AU said creation of data and information sharing platforms for example regular impact studies, peer learning groups for cross-country sharing of best practices could better support the implementation of AMR National Action Plans.
To mobilize and coordinate resources, the experts said there is a need for predictable, equitable, and sustainable funding across all African countries, including access to grants for the implementation of AMR initiatives.
"AMR should be incorporated into broader health frameworks to enable an effective, multi-sectoral One Health response. Resources need to be mobilized to meet country-specific contexts and be aligned with measurable milestones laid out in AMR National Action Plans," read the statement.
Dr Yewande Alimi from, Africa CDC called for equitable access, preventing overuse and misuse of antibiotics while ensuring vulnerable populations have access to essential antibiotics, vaccines, and diagnostics.
Andy Bulabula from Africa CDC Emphasized the need to address issues at micro and macro levels for effective health interventions.
"Efforts to implement health initiatives have begun, but a significant challenge is the lack of governance. There is a need for stronger leadership and structured guidance for countries to effectively implement health programs," he said.
Bulabula noted that currently health programmes heavily rely on international partners and moving forward, there is need to align with the Abuja Declaration, which mandates allocating 15 per cent of government expenditure to health programs.
He said at the population and community level, there is a gap in translating scientific evidence into actionable steps which requires context-sensitive measures and practices within communities.
Patrick Chanda Kabwe of Africa CDC said health facilities lack the funding and human resources to implement basic measures to address AMR.
Kabwe regretted that Africa is often on the tail end of receiving newer vaccines and therapeutics, and communities that are most vulnerable lack access.
Dr Evelyn Wesangula of National AMR Focal Point, Ministry of Health, Kenya, emphasized the importance of presenting data that shows economic loss and the cost-effectiveness of interventions.
Dr Wesangula further highlighted the need to align data with government priorities.
Dr Tochi Okwar of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention underscored the importance of developing homegrown solutions that are informed by global best practices and regular collaboration among African experts to advance understanding and action on AMR.