Antimicrobial Resistance continues to be a public health threat globally. Through the National Action Plan for AMR, Uganda has prioritized raising awareness about this life-threatening problem, and laid strategies for improving its prevention, detection and control including optimizing the use of antibiotics in humans, animals, and the environment.

With funding from the US CDC, IDI in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Sexually Transmitted Infection (MOH STI) program and Uganda National Health Laboratory Services (UNHLS) has continued to support these national efforts through strengthening surveillance for Gonococcal Antimicrobial Resistance within select public health facilities in Kampala.

Additionally, efforts continue to monitor antibiotics use and consumption data among health care providers and patients in 6 Regional Referral Hospitals (Mubende, Fort Portal, Arua, Jinja, Mbale, and Kabale Regional Referral Hospitals) to inform specific interventions that foster appropriate use.

Key Achievements

  • Integrated Neisseria gonorrhea samples into the National Sample Transportation and Referral System with culture and sensitivity testing done at UNHLS.
  • Monitoring of resistance patterns for gonorrhea treatment and management, including Cefixime (the current first-line treatment option for gonorrhea in the country).
  • Raising awareness and driving antimicrobial stewardship interventions based on results from antimicrobial use and consumption surveys at the regional referral hospitals.

 

Abstracts

  • Antibiotics Prescription Patterns in Six Regional Referral Hospitals in Uganda, 2016-2022
    Malinga Augustine, Andrew Kwiringira, Kizza Daniel, Katana Elizabeth, Babigumira Peter, Evar Laker, Nairuba Ruth, Olum William pjathim, Muwanguzi Timothy, Sande Alex, Asiku Ibra, Eriabu Allan Muwaza, Tabaruka Rodney, Nanyondo Judith, Walwema Richard, Lamorde Mohammed
    Accepted for presentation at the ICPIC conference