Tanzania Country Grant launched

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The Fleming Fund's Country Grant to Tanzania was launched on the 2nd April 2019 announcing a partnership with the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), Southern Africa Centre for Infectious Disease and Surveillance (SACIDS) and Africare.

ASM will lead a One Health focused partnership with the Southern Africa Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS) and Africare to deliver the Fleming Fund Country Grant for Tanzania. This consortium aims to strengthen Tanzania’s national Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) surveillance strategy by addressing the gaps in AMR data and strengthening antimicrobial stewardship. This robust surveillance system is critical for informing patient and animal care, guiding policy recommendations, and measuring the impact of health interventions.

The consortium will address critical gaps in AMR surveillance in humans, food and animals over the 18 month project. Specifically the project will:

• train microbiologists to conduct required AMR surveillance testing.
• improve access to laboratory supplies across the country.
• strengthen antimicrobial stewardship.
• develop One Health structures and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
• standardise quality assurance in laboratory testing.
• promote knowledge and understanding of approriate use of antimicrobial drugs.
• increase number of health facilities that routinely undertake bacterial culture and complete route antimicrobial drug susceptibility tests.

The consortium will implement a training-of-trainer approach with Tanzania-based microbiologists, ensuring that veterinary laboratories have access to a cadre of expert trainers who can further train and mentor a laboratory workforce beyond the period of the project. In addition to training, the consortium will ensure that laboratories have capability to maintain essential equipment and supplies.