ASLM is leading the Mapping Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use Partnership (MAAP) project through a grant from the United Kingdom-based Fleming Fund. The consortium includes ASLM, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), IQVIA, Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy  (CDDEP), East, Central and Southern African Health Community (ECSA-HC), West African Health Organization (WAHO) and Innovative Support to Emergencies Diseases and Disasters (InSTEDD). MAAP aims to collect retrospective data (2018, 2017 and 2016) on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial use (AMU) initially across 14 countries in west, east, central and southern Africa. The data are anticipated to provide a baseline spatio-temporal mapping of AMR and AMU in sub-Saharan Africa. At the same time, MAAP sets out to explore whether the paucity of AMR data on the continent is related to gaps in diagnostics or low levels of reporting. This information is important for shaping current and future interventions to improve the surveillance and the management of AMR. MAAP aligns with the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Global Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance and the Africa CDC’s Framework for Antimicrobial Resistance, 2018-2023 coordinated through Africa CDC’s AMRSNET.

As part of the MAAP implementation plan, a Training of Trainers for data collection took place from 21-25 October 2019, which was officially opened by Mr John Lindfield, the British High Commissioner to Eswatini. Mr Lindfield also accompanied the MAAP team on a visit to the Mbabane Government Hospital National Reference Laboratory and one of the pharmacies where data will be collected.

Through the skilled leadership of its strategic partners, Africa CDC, ECSA-HC and WAHO, MAAP has engaged ministries of health and launched the project in eight countries so far and data collection is in progress in six other countries. Data collection is anticipated to be completed by November 2020.

Author: Edwin Shumba

Editor: Mrs Bethanie Rammer

About ASLM

Established in 2011, the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) is a pan-African professional body focused on improving healthcare by strengthening all aspects of laboratories including workforce strengthening, quality improvement and accreditation, harmonization of regulations, strengthening of networks, and strengthening advocacy and communications. Laboratory testing is pivotal for disease diagnosis, epidemiological surveillance, outbreak investigation, and initiation and monitoring of treatment, as well as research and development. ASLM addresses these challenges by working collaboratively with governments; national, regional and international organizations; implementing partners, the private sector and other agencies to achieve its Strategic Vision goals. ASLM is endorsed by the African Union with support from the World Health Organization, Africa CDC, the US CDC, the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the World Bank, the Clinton Foundation, UNAIDS, and others.

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