Farayi Zimudzi, FAO Representative in Ethiopia

7 November 2023, Addis Ababa: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held a five-days workshop aimed at monitoring Ethiopia’s progress in the development and implementation of the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) strategy and AMR surveillance system in the food and agriculture sector.

The joint workshop-field visit assessments held from 30 October to 3 November 2023 at the Hub Hotel in Addis Ababa brought together 41 participants drawn from the relevant public and private sectors and across various sectors conducted two joint One Health AMR assessments.

While the first assessment focussed on AMR prevention and containment strategic plan (2021 to 2023) using the FAO’s Progressive Management Pathway for Antimicrobial Resistance (FAO-PMP-AMR), the other event analysed AMR surveillance system and laboratory capacity regarding pathogens and their susceptibility to the medicines. The latter used another FAO tool, i.e. Assessment Tool for Laboratories and Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Systems (ATLASS). Participants also discussed on field data.

Results of both PMP and ATLASS assessments have shown significant progress in the development and mid-term implementation monitoring of the AMR prevention and containment strategic plan in general and the AMR surveillance system in particular.

Overall development or formulation of the Ethiopian AMR strategic plan for all strategic objectives stood at 93%, while the mid-term implementation is assessed to have reached 43%. Upon finalisation of partially completed tasks, it’s the implementation level would grow to 95%.

On the other hand, the AMR surveillance system in the Food and Agriculture sector has progressed from Stage I in 2018 to stage III in 2023 along the Progressive Improvement Pathway (PIP). Moreover, upon monitoring of Animal Health Institute (AHI) laboratory capacities in the detection of pathogens and their susceptibility to the medicines in use has moved from PIP Stage II (2018) to PIP Stage IV (2023). The threshold for AMR data reliability is PIP Stage III.

Antimicrobials have a critical role in treating various diseases of humans, animals and plants when used prudently and responsibly. However, misuse of these medicines could lead to the spread of microorganisms that become resistant to them and shorten their useful time, thus seriously endanger food safety, food security, and sustainable economic development including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

FAO recognized the growing threat posed by AMR, and the need to act quickly in coordination with all actors. In line with World Health Organization (WHO)’s Global Action Plan (GAP) to combat AMR by reducing Antimicrobials Use (AMU) in the food and agriculture sector, FAO adopted the One Health approach and started implementing the FAO Action Plan.

The action plan has focused on four objectives or interventions: raising awareness about AMR and related threats; building capacity of AMR and AMU surveillance and monitoring; strengthening governance related to AMU and AMR; and promoting good practices and prudent AMU.

To this end, FAO supports  and is spearheading the implementation of country-tailored “One Health” National Action Plans (NAPs) in line with the GAP to effectively combat AMR.

The third Ethiopian AMR Prevention and Containment Strategic Plan was developed, co-signed by the different agencies of the Ethiopian government, and officially launched on 18 November 2021.

The third edition of the national strategy targeted five strategic objectives, namely: improving awareness about AMR; strengthening knowledge and evidence about AMU and AMR through surveillance and research; enhancing infection prevention and control through effective environmental health, infection prevention and bio-risk measures; optimizing AMU in human, animal, and plant health care; as well as strengthening and establishing partnerships, alliances, governance, and resource mobilization at all levels.

In her closing statement at the event, FAO’s Representative in Ethiopia Farayi Zimudzi, said that “this assessment exercise has helped Ethiopia [to] objectively determine the progress the country has made so far in its implementation of measures to combat AMR as outlined in the country’s AMR strategic plan.” She added, “FAO has made significant technical and financial contribution in supporting [the] development and implementation of this AMR country strategy.”

In his closing speech at the workshop, Dr Alemayehu Mekonnen, representing Dr Fikru Regassa,  State Minister for Livestock Resources of the Ministry of Agriculture – stressed that “Ethiopian government [is committed] to tackle this challenge as AMR is currently global health threat.” He added that “[we] value and cherish the partners of One Health platform … because activities conducted so far would have been difficult without their contribution and support.”

Representing the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, Wondwosen Shewarega, said that “AMR has emerged as a significant global health concern … It is of utmost importance that we promptly and effectively address this issue.”

For media inquiries, please contact:

Meseret Abiy
National Communications Specialist
FAO Ethiopia
Email: [email protected]

Tenaw Andualem
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Program Coordinator
FAO Ethiopia
Email: [email protected]