As ReAct marks 20 years of global action on antimicrobial resistance, we’re celebrating the people behind the movement. Hyfa Mohammed Ali, Program Manager at ReAct Asia Pacific, brings a unique blend of clinical knowledge and public health insight to her role. With nearly three years at ReAct, she reflects on her journey, the value of context-driven strategies, and what it means to work where community engagement meets systems change. In this brief interview, Hyfa answers three key questions about her experiences, motivations, and hopes for the future of public health.
Hyfa Mohammed Ali, Program Manager, ReAct Asia Pacific. Photo: Private.
What inspired you to join ReAct, and how has your journey been so far?
– What inspired me to join ReAct was its long-standing commitment to addressing antibiotic resistance from a people-centered lens. ReAct has been at the forefront of this work for over two decades and was one of the first organizations to bring attention to the issue globally. What really stood out to me was how strongly its values align with mine—especially its focus on equity, and its deep connection to the realities of the Global South.
– ReAct has always challenged the idea that antibiotic resistance is only a biomedical problem. Long before it became widely discussed, ReAct was already raising awareness about how antibiotic resistance is linked to issues like poverty, gender, access to clean water and sanitation, and social inequality. That intersectional understanding is still very relevant today — and it’s one of the reasons I believe so strongly in the work we do.
– My journey here so far has been enriching and meaningful. What makes ReAct such a unique place to work is the way it’s structured — we operate across different regions, with space to prioritize local needs, but we’re all connected by shared goals and a strong set of values. That balance between flexibility and focus creates a very collaborative and motivating environment. It’s a space where new ideas are welcomed, and where the work really feels like it contributes to something bigger.
If you could describe ReAct in three words, what would they be?
– Pathfinder. Thought Leader. Catalyst.
– ReAct has been a pathfinder in the antibiotic resistance space — one of the first to chart a course that brings in broader social and environmental dimensions.
– Thought Leader. It is a thought leader, shaping global and regional policy conversations through evidence generation, strategic advocacy, and values-based positioning.
– And it’s a catalyst — bringing together diverse actors across sectors and geographies to co-create scalable and sustainable solutions to one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time.
What do you think should be the focus of antibiotic resistance and AMR work for the next decade?
– The next decade presents a critical opportunity — and responsibility — to move from plans to action in our fight antibiotic resistance and against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As we approach major global milestones such as the Sustainable Development Goals deadline in 2030 and the UN High-Level Meeting on AMR in 2029, we can no longer afford to delay. What’s needed now is not more frameworks, but the will and coordination to implement them — grounded in equity, sustainability, and a strong One Health approach.
– Priority must be given to ensuring sustainable funding for operationalizing existing frameworks, with a strong focus on equity, sustainability, and integrated, cross-sectoral collaboration under the One Health approach. Accelerating the implementation of National Action Plans on AMR is essential. This includes strengthening primary and frontline health systems to ensure consistent access to diagnostics, robust infection prevention and control, and antimicrobial stewardship — especially in low-resource and underserved settings.
– Equitable access to essential tools such as affordable diagnostics, second-line antibiotics, vaccines, and tailored interventions must remain at the center of all AMR mitigation strategies. Ongoing conflicts, humanitarian crises, and fragile health systems continue to undermine progress. Addressing AMR through an equity lens is therefore not optional but necessary, particularly for marginalized populations who face the greatest barriers to accessing effective care.
– Looking ahead, sustained and coordinated action involving governments, civil society, academia, and communities will be key. By scaling up what works, addressing systemic gaps, and embedding equity in every step of the response, the global community can move closer to achieving meaningful and lasting progress in the fight against AMR.
Contact information Hyfa Mohammad Ali.
ReAct celebrates 20 years of action on antibiotic resistance!
The story of ReAct began 20 years ago with a small group of passionate global health advocates, several of whom are still part of the network today. Driven by the urgency of antibiotic resistance, ReAct has grown into a global movement with offices across four continents, influencing policy, empowering communities, and shaping governance.
Despite progress, global efforts remain insufficient, and urgent action is needed. ReAct remains committed to driving stronger responses to safeguard effective antibiotics for all.
ReAct’s 20-year journey has transformed AMR governance, strengthened health systems, and mobilized communities worldwide. As we look to the future, we invite partners and funders to join us in scaling impact, driving innovation, and securing sustainable solutions — for a world free from untreatable infections.