Antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Ethiopia: Implementation experiences and lessons learned.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health concern.
• High AMR rates are prevalent in East Africa, including Ethiopia.
• Ethiopia initiated a national surveillance network to address AMR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the prioritization of AMR and establishment of Ethiopia's National AMR Surveillance System.
• To detail the implementation process, challenges, and lessons learned.

Main Methods:

• Developed and approved a National AMR Surveillance Plan in April 2017.
• Prioritized organisms for reporting based on WHO recommendations and national capacity.
• Implemented a phased, laboratory-based surveillance network linking national and sentinel sites.

Main Results:

• Observed challenges included electronic data capture, laboratory supply chains, and communication.
• Addressed challenges through dedicated data entry support, scheduled communication, and external procurement assistance.

Conclusions:

• Ethiopia successfully established AMR surveillance in a low-resource setting.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement were crucial for successful implementation.