Combatting AMR in the Western Pacific region
The COMBAT-AMR project was started in 2020 to mitigate the rising burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Pacific Island Countries, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security.
The COMBAT-AMR project was started in 2020 to mitigate the rising burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Pacific Island Countries, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security.
COMBAT-AMR works in partnership with government, National AMR Committees and public health counterparts in Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, to implement capacity building and training activities to support the prevention, diagnosis, surveillance and management of AMR pathogens, under the framework of National AMR Action Plans and priorities.
Led by the Doherty Institute, COMBAT-AMR project involves a large range of partners, including Alfred Health, Burnet Institute, Massey University, Pacific Pathology Training Centre, Pacific Regional Infectious Diseases Association, The Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, WaterAid and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Surveillance of AMR.
Here we look at the key achievements of COMBAT-AMR throughout 2021.
MARCH 2021
COMBAT-AMR official launch
Hosted by the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, the launch brought together project partners and collaborators, health and veterinary professionals, government and industry representatives, and the WHO and The Pacific Community (SPC) to discuss the importance of prioritising strategies to reduce the impact of AMR in Fiji and Pacific Island Countries.
COMBAT-Covid laboratory support project commences
COMBAT-AMR begins support for implementation of laboratory diagnostics for COVID-19, in collaboration with SPC and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security. The sub-project is being implemented by a team of experts across three major public health, reference and diagnostic laboratories at the Doherty Institute.
APRIL 2021
National Referral Hospital (NRH) Lab in Honiara, Solomon Islands now Zoom-enabled
Made possible with support from Save the Children, Solomon Islands, new video conferencing equipment allowed the NRH Laboratory to connect with project partners for training and resource sharing.
"The new equipment has allowed for more of our staff to participate in training sessions to increase capacity and knowledge. So far, we've attended sessions regarding antimicrobial resistance, microbiology, haematology, biochemistry, serology and IATA (International Air Transport Association) shipping. Previously, training was limited to individuals compared to the wider audience who have been able to participate", says Mr Alfred Dofai, Head of NRH Laboratory, Honiara.
JUNE 2021
A One Health approach in Samoa
In partnership with Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa, COMBAT-AMR completed AMR Policy and Practice Assessment and Laboratory Assessment for Animal Health, informing the activities to be delivered to reduce AMR in key industry sectors.
JULY 2021
Sharing tools for evaluation in the region
COMBAT-AMR project published and shared a comprehensive situation needs and assessment package to identify opportunities in Pacific Island Countries for capacity building and training activities to support the prevention, diagnosis, surveillance and management of AMR.
OCTOBER 2021
Suring up hand sanitiser supplies in Papua New Guinea
A new facility producing alcohol-based hand rub opened at the Port Moresby General Hospital in Papua New Guinea to support the Infection Prevention and Control procedures at the hospital.
NOVEMBER 2021
Online training program builds antimicrobial stewardship remotely
COMBAT-AMR launched the Western Pacific Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Online Educational Modules (WPAMS) to support nurses, pharmacists, doctors and administrators working in hospitals and community health facilities to implement effective and sustainable AMS programs.
DECEMBER 2021
Para-veterinary training series kicks off in Samoa
COMBAT-AMR launched a series of training workshops in partnership with the Samoan Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Animal Protection Society to improve the appropriate use of antibiotics to treat animals. Led by Dr Harriet Thornton, a veterinarian in the COMBAT-AMR Animal Health team, the first workshop focused on examining, diagnosing and treating cattle lameness, which was identified as a key area of need during scoping sessions with the local workforce.
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