Advancing clinical bacteriology in humanitarian settings: The collaborative role of Médecins Sans Frontières

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, particularly in resource-limited and conflict-affected settings. Access to Diagnostics and Surveillance (D&S) is one of the key pillars to address AMR yet remains critically limited in many of these settings. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, Doctors Without Borders) has over a decade of experience in building and supporting bacteriology laboratories worldwide. A pragmatic model centred on manual culture-based bacteriology, innovation and capacity building is promoted, always integrated with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) programs and collaboration with Ministries of Health. Moreover, innovative strategies such as the Mini-Lab or Antibiogo have been successfully integrated into numerous settings. Effective and sustainable AMR diagnostics are feasible in humanitarian settings with the right approach. However, without actionable steps, the gap in equitable access to AMR interventions will persist, leaving vulnerable populations at continued risk.