The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) is reviewing the annual Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Surveillance system implementation in Hawassa city.
Dr. Mesay Hailu, Director General of EPHI while opening the review meeting indicated Ethiopia’s commitment to implement key global actions for tackling AMR.
“To realize this, EPHI has been working on AMR surveillance system and research for the last couple of years to generate evidence for action in collaboration with key stakeholders guided by the National AMR Prevention and Containment strategy (2021-2025) & AMR surveillance system implementation guidance (2021-2025),” explained Dr. Mesay.
On his behalf, EPHI’s Deputy Director General Dr. Getachew Tollera said that under the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Health and in alignment with the Global Action Plan, UNGA Declarations, and Ethiopia’s AMR Strategy (2021-2025), a comprehensive One Health approach which is structured in around five key pillars has been adopted.
“The approach incompasses AMR Stewardship & Infection Prevention, Laboratory-Based AMR Surveillance, AMR Use Monitoring, Research and Development, and One Health Coordination,” added Dr. Getachew.
Both Dr. Damena Debeleke , Sidama Public Health Institute Director General and Dr. Kibru Kifle, Academic and Clinical services Corporate Director of College of Medicine and Health Sciences of Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital pointed out the need for more collaborative work against AMR and their affirmative outcomes from the review meeting for ongoing and up coming activities to fight against AMR.
According to Mr. Aschalew Abayneh who is Pandemic fund EPPR Project Manager of WHO, the EPPR project enhances national preparedness through strengthening laboratory systems, surveillance, workforce development, and emergency coordination—all vital elements of a robust AMR response.
The review meeting is being attended by Regional Public Health Institute Director Generals, Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Pandemic fund EPPR Project Manager-WHO, representatives of Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ethiopian Environment Protection Authority, Regional Health Bureaus, Professional Associations and also AMR Surveillance Site Leaders.
The review meeting will be concluded today May 3,2025.
