Zambia has made major advancements in its efforts to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The two-day Smart Choice Process (SCP) workshop, held from May 28 to 29 in Lusaka, was successfully completed, bringing together 35 cross-sectoral experts and policymakers to accelerate the country’s implementation of the 2023-2027 National Action Plan (NAP) on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The event was co-led by the Government of Zambia and supported by the AMR Policy Accelerator Team composed of Dr. Kadia Petricca, Clare McGall, Vesela Ivanova, Heba Qazillbash and Medha Bhushan. The event focused on strengthening Zambia’s One Health approach to AMR that emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in mitigating the growing threat of drug-resistant infections in Zambia, and around the world.
The Forefront of Cross-Sectoral Collaboration
Participating members from human, animal, agricultural, and environmental sectors collaborated to outline key AMR interventions and assess current implementation challenges facing Zambia. The Smart Choice Process workshop emphasized evidence-based decision-making and open dialogue, helping Zambia strategically align its AMR initiatives with its own national goals.
A special thank you to Dr. Joseph Chizimu, Dr. Steward Mudenda, along with other members of the Zambian Core Planning Team, who played foundational roles in organizing the event. Their leadership, accompanied by local stakeholder contributors like: Morreah Champ, Loveness Siakalimbwe, Fusya Goma, and others, was recognized as pivotal to the workshop’s success.
Global Partnerships and Strategic Support
The workshop would not have been possible without financial support from the Wellcome Trust, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and the UK Department of Health and Social Care’s Fleming Fund, supported by UK aid. Their partnerships enabled meaningful knowledge-sharing throughout the two days. More than just a planning event, the workshop demonstrated Zambia’s unwavering commitment to collaborative actions against AMR. With these partnerships and strategic support, Zambia can implement its National Action Plan and be a trailblazer in tackling AMR.
What the Future Holds
As Zambia continues to advance its AMR strategy, the outcomes from the SCP workshop will continue to inform the rollout of targeted interventions under the 2023-2027 NAP. The AMR Policy Accelerator Team at the Global Strategy Lab expresses their continued support for Zambia’s leadership and One Health implementation efforts in mitigating antimicrobial resistance.
For more information on the Smart Choice Process and its role in informing AMR policy development, visit: Smart Choice Process
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