Updates from the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions

2022 was a year of significant development for ICARS, many projects are moving on the ground, the first positive results are emerging, our global profile is growing, and our multidimensional network of partners has moved from concept to reality. We have witnessed an exponential increase in demand for the ICARS model of engagement from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) which has led to several new projects approved across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. To illustrate the interconnectedness of the pillars the report includes three cross-cutting case-studies, and we reflect on key challenges we have encountered in 2022 and steps taken to navigate through them.

Zimbabwe has joined ICARS as a Mission Partner after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between ICARS and the Republic of Zimbabwe. The partnership acknowledges our shared interest in mitigating AMR from a One Health perspective, and marks the beginning of two projects in human and animal health, with the potential co-development of a third environmental project.

In June, the Council of the European Union adopted a new Recommendation for ‘stepping up EU actions to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR)’. The Council Recommendation, which employs a One Health approach, encourages joint efforts across sectors to boost the prudent use of antimicrobials through a series of voluntary measures, with the aim of reducing resistance. In a section focused on global actions, Member States are encouraged to “provide development capacity and support AMR actions in Low- and Middle-Income countries, in particular through (…) non-governmental initiatives, such as the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS), the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) and ReAct.”

ICARS attended the World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC to participate in a high-level ministerial roundtable. The event was entitled ‘Accelerating One Health solutions to combat the “silent pandemic” of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to promote better human, animal and environmental health and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals’. Dr Sujith J Chandy, ICARS’ Executive Director, emphasised the need to integrate global challenges such as AMR and climate change with sustainable One Health solutions and provided recommendations for future action.

In May, delegates from 194 member states, including ministers and high-level officials, gathered in Geneva for the World Health Assembly. In partnership with the Danish Ministry for the Interior and Health, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the AMR Action Fund, ICARS organised a side-event focused on ‘Opportunities for further and integrated action on antimicrobial access and stewardship’.

In partnership with Wellcome, ICARS is supporting a project in Zambia that aims to improve the management of urinary tract infections (UTI) in women using the Responsive Dialogue on Drug Resistant Infections’ framework and toolkit developed by Wellcome. Responsive Dialogues provide an opportunity to develop solutions and policies which are evidence-based, grounded in local realities, and embrace ideas from the community. Read insights and reflections from their recent series of conversation events which engaged health workers, community members and key stakeholders to co-create impactful solutions.

In April, 11 participants from ICARS’ projects attended a workshop on antimicrobial susceptibility testing at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi, Kenya. During the three-day workshop, course participants learnt about best practices in AST including reference methods, disk diffusion testing using the EUCAST methodology, quality control techniques, and troubleshooting skills. The April workshop was part of ICARS’ collaborative project with ILRI and the EUCAST Development Laboratory (EDL) working to build a centre of excellence for AST at ILRI.

Tanzanian students organised a student-centred service-learning model, which empowered young people to address important global issues such as antimicrobial resistance, while serving their communities. The initiative was dedicated to empowering young people to participate in solving urgent global challenges, like AMR. The student campaign reached women and young people working in markets, bus terminals, and business centres and deepened students' understanding of the importance of the fight against AMR.

Between 15-18 April 2023, more than 14,000 people from all around the world attended the 33rd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID). The hybrid event, held online and in Copenhagen, had an action-packed programme of more than 100 sessions across all disciplines related to Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Prevention and Public Health. ICARS staff and project teams had the opportunity to present, network, and exchange ideas with other experts working in the field.

On 22 June 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the launch of its global research agenda on AMR in human health. This comprehensive agenda focuses on 40 research topics that address drug-resistant bacteria, fungi, and mycobacteria. It aims to drive innovation and advance implementation research, providing a solid foundation for the development of new strategies to mitigate AMR in human health.

Following this important launch, on 28 June the Quadripartite launched a One Health Priority Research Agenda which, with support from ICARS, highlights key research areas to reduce and prevent AMR in LMICs by working at the interface between sectors.

Are you an experienced leader in the operational and administrative field with strong competencies both with regards to HR and finance? Would you like to work in an international environment making a difference for global health? Then, you may be our new Team Lead for Operations.The activities of ICARS are expanding and we are looking for a candidate to work closely together with the Director of Operations heading ICARS’ administrative and operational activities, including finance, compliance, IT, HR and safety.