Faith Based Organizations: Critical allies for stronger action on AMR

2026-02-24

A new policy brief launched during a High-Level global dialogue underscores the indispensable role of faith-based organizations in addressing antimicrobial resistance, one of the most urgent and complex public health threats of our time. Convened by the World Council of Churches, the dialogue brought together global health leaders, policymakers, and faith actors to explore how trusted community institutions can help strengthen AMR prevention, stewardship, and advocacy - particularly across Africa.

The policy brief, developed collaboratively by ReAct Africa, the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network, the African Christian Health Associations Platform, and the World Council of Churches, provides evidence-based recommendations for systematically integrating faith actors into national and global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategies.

Addressing a growing global health crisis

Antimicrobial resistance is responsible for more than one million deaths annually and is associated with nearly five million deaths worldwide. Its impact is particularly severe in low- and middle-income regions, including Africa, where health systems face persistent structural challenges such as limited infection prevention infrastructure, inequitable access to quality medicines, and weak surveillance systems.

These challenges are compounded by inappropriate antimicrobial use in both human and animal health, alongside environmental drivers such as agricultural practices and pharmaceutical waste. Participants emphasized that addressing AMR requires coordinated action across sectors and levels – from global governance to grassroots community engagement.

Faith-Based Organizations: A critical yet underutilized resource

A central focus of the dialogue was the vital but often under-recognized role of faith-based organizations. In many African countries, FBOs provide an estimated 40–60% of healthcare services, working in partnership with governments to extend care to underserved and remote populations. Beyond clinical service delivery, faith institutions play a pivotal role in health education, maternal and child health, and medicine supply chains.

Their deep roots in communities and longstanding presence make them uniquely positioned to influence behaviors, promote responsible antimicrobial use, and combat misinformation. Faith leaders are often among the most trusted figures in society, enabling them to deliver public health messages with credibility and cultural relevance.

Dr Jean Pierre Nyemazi of the Quadripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR, who officially launched the policy brief, emphasized that faith-based organizations represent an essential bridge between global policy frameworks and community-level implementation. He highlighted their contributions not only in healthcare delivery, but also in education, advocacy, and ensuring last-mile access to services.

Bridging moral leadership and technical expertise

Speakers throughout the dialogue highlighted the unique combination of moral authority and technical capacity that faith-based organizations bring to health systems. This dual influence enables them to shape community norms, support antimicrobial stewardship, and reinforce prevention measures.

Contributions from global institutions including the South Centre and the UN Environment Programme emphasized the broader dimensions of AMR, including environmental drivers and the importance of amplifying Global South leadership in shaping solutions.

Representatives from the Health Diplomacy Alliance and the Union for International Cancer Control underscored how antimicrobial resistance threatens progress across multiple health priorities, including cancer care, where effective antimicrobials are essential for safe treatment.

Meanwhile, organizations such as the Stop TB Partnership and the World Medical Association emphasized the importance of trust-based partnerships and cross-sectoral collaboration, drawing lessons from other disease responses and highlighting the importance of engaging community institutions to sustain long-term progress.

A strategic roadmap for integration and action

The newly launched policy brief outlines clear and actionable recommendations to strengthen the integration of faith-based organizations into AMR governance and response frameworks. These include improving coordination between governments and faith-based health providers, investing in capacity building, and recognizing faith actors as key stakeholders in national AMR action plans.

The brief also highlights the importance of adopting a One Health approach, recognizing the interconnected nature of human, animal, and environmental health. Faith-based organizations, with their extensive community networks, are well positioned to support awareness and behavior change across these interconnected domains.

Importantly, the policy brief moves beyond acknowledging the role of FBOs to providing concrete pathways for engagement – ensuring their contributions are systematically recognized, supported, and scaled.

Catalyzing a broader movement for sustainable AMR action

The dialogue concluded with a strong consensus: tackling antimicrobial resistance requires expanding the circle of leadership beyond traditional health institutions. Faith-based organizations represent not only service providers, but also powerful advocates capable of mobilizing communities, influencing behaviors, and sustaining momentum for long-term change.

With the majority of Africa’s population affiliated with faith communities, empowering faith-based organizations offers a transformative opportunity to strengthen health systems, improve antimicrobial stewardship, and accelerate progress against one of the defining health challenges of our generation.

The launch of this policy brief marks an important milestone in recognizing and formalizing the role of faith actors in AMR responses – signaling a shift toward more inclusive, community-centered, and sustainable solutions.