OVERVIEW

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is among the leading causes of death globally, with considerable impact in low- and middle-income settings.

The Fleming Fund is a UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)’s funded programme supporting up to 25 countries across Africa and Asia to tackle AMR, through a portfolio of country, regional and fellowship grants. The Fund is managed through Mott MacDonald.

In Uganda, the Phase II Fleming Fund Country Grant II builds on the successes of Phase I and is led by Baylor Foundation Uganda that works alongside consortium technical partners: College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB) – Animal Health and Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development (HEPS- Uganda)-Policy, advocacy, leadership and governance and resource partners: I-Train and Evaluate Center and Biomedics Product Limited to support government efforts to combat AMR through a one health approach.

Through a collaboration with Government of Uganda and line ministries (Ministry of Health [Central Public Health Laboratory and Pharmacy Division], Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [Department of Animal health] and Ministry of Water and Environment [Water Quality Testing Department]) the programme works through the National One Health Platform [AMR Governance] to contribute to the establishment of Uganda’s second National Action Plan for AMR (NAP-AMR II) (2024-2029) and implementation of surveillance, awareness and antimicrobial stewardship aspects.

Notable programme interventions areas are 1) Strengthening microbiology/AMR diagnostic capacity and infrastructure enhancements; 2) AMR/Antimicrobial Use-U/ Antimicrobial Consumption-C surveillance systems strengthening including governance and integration; 3) AMR/U/C surveillance data use to inform practice and policy; 4) Rational use of antimicrobials– data and recommendations on appropriate use.

The expected outcomes from this programme are 1) quality AMR/U/C and burden data produced; 2) Quality data analysis conducted; 3) Quality data shared with decision-makers nationally and globally; and 4) Sustainable investment at country and global levels to counter AMR. This would provide the basis for changes in policy and practice to increase the rational use of antimicrobial agents and reduce morbidity and mortality due to drug resistant infections. This work ultimately improves patient care, enhances public health and informs solutions against AMR threats.