Training to combat drug resistance as awareness week begins

November 2024: As the world marks Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week, a group from the Fleming Fund Fellowship programmes in southern and east Africa has just completed two weeks of intensive training in Edinburgh.

The programme, part of the UK Government’s efforts to combat AMR in low- and middle-income countries, is empowering fellows to address this urgent global health threat, with the University of Edinburgh serving as a host institution for training and mentorship.

Hands-on training focused on tackling AMR

Seventeen fellows from Uganda and Zambia participated in a mix of policy workshops, hands-on lab sessions and training in quality control and infection medicine.

The fellows had the opportunity to dive into data analysis, attend workshops on science communication and spend valuable time with their university mentors face-to-face.

Alongside expert lectures and workshops, fellows visited leading facilities including the National Avian Research Facility, Langhill Farm and held meetings with Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Scottish Government.

These visits gave insights into innovations in antibiotic testing, animal welfare and environmental surveillance — key for tackling AMR through a One Health approach.

During AMR Awareness Week, we’re reflecting on the remarkable achievements of our fellows during their two-week training in Edinburgh. It was fantastic to bring everyone together for intensive sessions across a range of topics, as well as valuable time with their university mentors.
We hope the fellows have strengthened their networks and gained practical skills they can take back to their workplaces to help combat AMR and make a lasting impact.

The human cost of AMR

By 2050, antimicrobial resistance could cause 10 million deaths annually, with over 90% of these expected to occur in Africa and Asia.

One of the fellows, Stephen Aupal from Uganda, a microbiologist at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, knows the devastating impact of AMR all too well.

Here he shares the deeply personal story of losing his father, which inspired him to become a fellow.

AMR killed my father. There’s no question about that.

On the day we buried him, I received an email about the Fleming Fund Fellowship for AMR. I didn’t wait to see my father being lowered into the ground—I knew this was something I was meant to pursue. So, I stepped aside and made a call immediately, asking how I could apply to become a fellow. In our culture, when you bury a family member, you stay with your loved ones. You don’t leave. But this opportunity was too important. I told my mum, ‘We’ve buried dad, he’s at peace, and I have a mission to fulfil. If I don’t act now, I’ll lose the chance.'

The fellowship has renewed my energy

Finding out I had been selected as a fellow gave me a sense of peace, even as I grieved. The fellowship has renewed my energy and given me a clear purpose. It’s an opportunity to fight against AMR, both globally and nationally, all in memory of my father. When he passed away, I vowed to do whatever it takes to face drug resistance head-on. And now, that’s exactly what I intend to do.

Training at the University of Edinburgh

The visit to Edinburgh was an enriching experience, providing knowledge and skills, as well as the chance to network with fellows from Zambia and engage with experienced mentors. The final week was a highlight with training in data analysis and attending the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group conference in Glasgow, which was fascinating. I feel privileged to be part of the Fleming Fund Fellowship.