April 2025: Fellows from Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, and Zambia shared insights and experiences from one of the world's leading infectious disease congresses. From April 11–15, Vienna hosted the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Congress, one of the world’s most influential conferences in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases. With over 18,000 participants, the event brought global experts together to share breakthroughs and strengthen collaborations.The Fleming Fund Fellowship Fellows joined the conversation. bringing home new knowledge, tools, and connections to strengthen their national and regional AMR strategies. Attending the Vienna conference through the Fleming Fund Fellowship program has been an invaluable opportunity to connect with experts, peers, share knowledge and gain fresh knowledge on how to reduce AMR globally. This is a space that fosters evidence based learning, collaborations and innovations that is key in my field as a clinical pharmacist practitioner. Caroline Nasambu Wafula Antimicrobial stewardship practitioner fellow for human health, Kenya Leading experts in infectious diseases and clinical microbiology meet at ESCMID Global to exchange ideas and explore the latest innovations. Attending the conference in Vienna has been invaluable. It provides a unique opportunity to engage with experts and gain new insights on AMR. The interactions and lessons learned are energizing and essential for progress. I'm grateful to be part of this experience. Joseph Chizimu AMR policy fellow for human health, Zambia As part of the ESCMID Global Congress, the forum brings together global experts to address the urgent challenge of antimicrobial resistance through collaborative science and informed policy dialogue. The Vienna congress is important as it is enabling me to connect with experts in AMR through study groups in which there is continued networking and development beyond the congress. Again, I am learning different innovations that are used in different parts of the world to tackle AMR. For example, the use of Fosfomysin to treat diseases that are resistant to other antimicrobials. Also there is a technology that is on trial by Ifast which detects antimicrobial resistance within 3 hours. In addition, I am becoming aware of different studies such as studies that have revealed the impact of vaccines on antimicrobial resistance and other knowledge that has been shared in different sessions. The congress very profitable in the fellowship and my practice against AMR. Evetta Kuwala Chisope Antimicrobial stewardship practitioner fellow for human health, Malawi The Fellows reconnected with Professor Till Bachmann (fourth from left), co-director of the Fleming Fund Fellowship Schemes in Edinburgh and Dr Maneesh Paul. S (fifth from left) co-inventor and program director Enmetazobactam, at the ESCMID Global AMR Science & Policy Forum. The Fellows attended:High-impact keynote lectures on AMR, diagnostics, and vaccine impactMeet-the-expert sessions and global symposiaThe Pipeline Programme, featuring next-generation diagnostics and therapeuticsEducation Friday and Pipeline Monday, days focused on capacity-building and pharma-policy collaboration Looking Ahead These experiences highlight the vital role of international collaboration and professional exchange in building stronger, more resilient AMR systems. The Fleming Fund Fellowship continues to equip professionals with the tools and networks needed to lead change locally—and globally. Related links Fleming Fund Fellowship Schemes in Edinburgh Edinburgh Antimicrobial Resistance Forum Dr Maneesh Paul ESCMID Global 2025 programme This article was published on 2025-04-16
