Title : Combating antimicrobial resistance in sub-Saharan Africa: Advancing one health strategies for sustainable infectious disease control
Abstract:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global public health challenge that threatens the effective prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, with Sub-Saharan Africa experiencing a disproportionately high burden. The region faces multiple drivers of AMR, including inappropriate antibiotic use, self-medication, weak antimicrobial stewardship, inadequate infection prevention and control measures, limited laboratory and diagnostic capacity, insufficient surveillance systems, antimicrobial use in food-producing animals, environmental contamination, and weak healthcare regulation. This narrative review synthesizes evidence from recent scientific literature, global health reports, and policy documents to examine the key factors contributing to AMR and identify sustainable intervention strategies within a One Health framework. The findings demonstrate that addressing AMR requires integrated surveillance systems, strengthened laboratory infrastructure, improved access to quality diagnostics, effective antimicrobial stewardship programmes, expanded vaccination coverage, public awareness campaigns, stronger regulatory policies, and coordinated collaboration across the human, animal, environmental, agricultural, and pharmaceutical sectors. A comprehensive One Health approach is essential for reducing the emergence and spread of resistant microorganisms, improving patient outcomes, preserving the effectiveness of existing antimicrobial agents, and strengthening regional and global health security through sustained multisectoral commitment and evidence-based policy implementation.
