ICARS and ReAct to collaborate on context-specific research tools that advance NAPs in Africa

Many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have made progress to implement their National Action Plans (NAPs), however this still remains a challenge.  Often, countries still struggle with translating these NAPs to national and subnational action including when prioritising different interventions. This is especially the case in low-resource settings, where there are competing priorities and varying capacities. ICARS and ReAct have therefore agreed to join forces to help address this challenge.

What do we aim to do?

ICARS and ReAct intend to develop and disseminate applied implementation tools and guidance that are context-specific, including a tool for developing a comprehensive country analysis. This project will focus on the African context, specifically the sub-Saharan African countries, and is intended to support their NAP implementation. This will build on the tools available through the ReAct Toolbox.

How will this be done?

Key goals of this collaboration between ReAct and ICARS include to:

• Investigate how existing resources and tools are currently used to support NAP implementation in LMICs, specifically looking at applicability in countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Assess gaps and areas where this partnership can provide value and tangible steps forward for countries through context-specific guidance targeted at national implementers.
• Pilot an approach for situational analyses through a case study in Zambia. ICARS’ current work has already shown that there is a need for tailored and simple guidance for conducting a situational analysis, therefore we aim to develop a systematic approach to support countries for conducting their own analyses. We will work with our mutual partners in Zambia for this pilot.
• Explore other identified gaps and in doing so develop and disseminate further materials and processes in a guidance document, as well as through the ReAct Toolbox.
• Ensure iterative user engagement. Throughout this project, ICARS and ReAct will engage with potential users in African countries to ensure that on-the-ground needs at a sub-regional level are met.

This project has been designed to complement existing guidance and tools available, while addressing identified gaps. We look forward to engaging with ReAct and their extensive network, while bringing our focus on implementation and intervention research to achieve this initiative.

 Dr. Mirfin Mpundu, Director of ReAct Africa, says:

“We are indeed very appreciative and motivated. This collaboration with ICARS provides an opportunity to address the numerous challenges that African countries face in implementing National Action Plans.

The outcomes of this partnership will be exceedingly useful as we continue our work on antimicrobial resistance, both with a local, regional, and global perspective. There is still so much to do and with the support from partners like ICARS we can continue to address antimicrobial resistance – in particular the needs of low- and middle-income countries – using implementation and intervention research.”

 Dr Robert Skov, Scientific Director of ICARS states:

“ICARS believes that we can support NAP implementation through contextualised intervention and implementation research projects, and that providing support and practical guidance through ReAct’s existing toolbox – amongst other means – will support countries in developing initiatives based on local situations and priorities.

We are excited to partner with ReAct to collaborate on this important initiative, and to engage with national and sub-national actors to provide contextualised tools that neither organisation could develop alone.”

If you have any questions about this work, please reach out to us at contact@icars-global.org