ReAct Africa

African countries suffer from the burden of infectious diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Both treatments of infections as well as most modern medical procedures rely on functioning antibiotics. Resistance is estimated to lead to 10 million deaths per year worldwide in 2050, of which most deaths will be reported in low-and middle-income countries. Therefore, antibiotic resistance is a major threat in Africa and requires a range of interventions and a multidisciplinary approach.

ReAct Africa brings together experts and key stakeholders to form technical working groups on antimicrobial resistance. We provide technical assistance in the development and implementation of the National Action Plans. ReAct Africa takes on a holistic perspective and raises awareness by informing the general public and the health, veterinarian, agricultural and environmental sectors about antibiotic resistance. ReAct Africa increases collaboration with other relevant networks and organizations and advocates for concerted action on antibiotic resistance.

Engage countries in setting up National Action Plans

In 2015, the World Health Assembly called on all Member States to develop and have in place by 2017, National Action Plans on antimicrobial resistance that are aligned with the objectives of the Global Action Plan. Although some considerable progress has been made, major gaps still exist in Africa and require urgent action.

ReAct Africa supports countries in developing their National Action Plans from the initiation till the end. ReAct Africa has supported the development of National Action Plans in Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

We bring experts and stakeholders together to lobby for technical working groups, provide assistance for situation analysis and advise on the process of the development of the National Action Plans, including the use of the ReAct Toolbox materials.

Raise awareness in Africa

Antibiotic resistance is a complex issue that requires behavior change from every person. Every November during the World Antibiotic Awareness Week we work together with our local partners to raise awareness in the general public and among health, veterinarian and agricultural professionals. ReAct Africa has developed multiple materials that can be used freely for raising awareness. ReAct Africa is often invited by stakeholders to present on antibiotic resistance and how we work and take action.

Awareness raising

ReAct Africa together with partners from GARP and the Ministry of Health of Kenya raise awareness on antibiotic resistance among medical students. For example, at the Kenya Medical Training College where nurses, pharmacists and lab technicians were taught about antibiotic resistance and what they can do in each of their respective fields to tackle it.  In addition, ReAct Africa is also piloting Student Clubs that have an objective to raise awareness among students on antibiotic resistance.

Increased collaboration

Countries should not reinvent the wheel. Therefore, ReAct Africa holds an annual conference that brings together key people from multiple countries to share experiences and best practices, but also the obstacles and failures, to support each other in the development of National Action Plans. There is strength in partnership. ReAct Africa partners with GARP-Kenya and has joined forces with GARD and CDDEP GARP to support the National Action Plans process.

ReAct Africa Conference

The very first ReAct Africa conference took place in Kenya, October 2016. Over 30 participants from 10 countries came together to learn about and discuss the development and implementation of National Action Plans.

The ReAct annual conference in 2018 brought together 67 participants from 22 African countries. Participants were various stakeholders from the human health, animal health, agriculture and environment sectors – One Health approach. The three-day meeting identified successes, challenges and recommendations for the implementation of NAPs in relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the One Health approach including governance. The conference also provided an opportunity for discussions on the link between SDGs and AMR and how the failure to address AMR would impact attainment of the 2030 Agenda. The ReAct Africa annual conference 2019 will have a theme on Universal Health Coverage in addressing antibiotic resistance.

Advocacy

Antibiotic resistance is a problem that needs to be addressed by policy makers. Therefore ReAct Africa and our antibiotic resistance champions actively participate in high level meetings like the World Health Assembly and the Wilton Park Meetings. We put antibiotic resistance on the agenda of the EPN biennial forums. Representatives from 26 countries together adopted a Call to Action on antimicrobial resistance during the forum held in May 2016.

First ever research priority workshop

The first ever regional antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research priority workshop in Nairobi, Kenya in December 2018. The workshop attracted 70 participants from 31 countries in Africa. Participants included experts in human health, animal health, agriculture, environment, social sciences, research, academia and non-governmental organizations among others. At the end of the workshop, a coordinating team was formed to review the results of the AMR prioritization exercise and develop next steps which included advocacy to African governments.

ReAct Africa is hosted by the Pharmaceutical Systems Africa (PSA), Zambia.