AMR Action, highlights from June and July 2025

Over the past two months, the Fleming Fund Fellows have been driving antimicrobial resistance (AMR) action across continents and sectors. Here are their key activities for June and July 2025.

Influencing policy and strengthening systems

Mark Chakwiya Mwalabu
Mark Chakwiya Mwalabu in conversation at the African Union Zoonotic Disease Prevention and Control Strategy.

In Ethiopia (July): Malawian Policy Fellow Mark Chakwiya Mwalabu joined an Africa Centres for Disease Control and prevention-led review of the African Union Zoonotic Disease Prevention and Control Strategy. This regional engagement built on his Fellowship work evaluating the policy impact of AMR research in Malawi, demonstrating the value of cross-country learning and regional policy dialogue. 

In Uganda (June–July): Fellows Darius Owachi and Akello Harriet made a powerful contribution at the launch of Uganda’s national AMR, stewardship, and surveillance guidelines, marking a critical moment for national policy development. In July, Harriet's appointment as Senior Pharmacist at the Ministry of Health further affirmed how the Fellowship fosters professional growth and system-level impact. 

Meanwhile, all ten Ugandan Fellows convened in June for a collaborative project meeting, mentored by Mahmoud Eltholth, strengthening their shared vision and integrated One Health strategies. 

Conferences, collaboration and capacity building

Across June and July, fellows shared their expertise and built connections at leading scientific forums: 

Cape Town (June): Eve Koile (Kenya) joined the ICAN 2025 Conference, engaging with AMR leaders. She also met with Joseph Chizimu (Zambian fellow). 

Dublin (July): Chisha Simutowe (Zambia) completed the ESCMID Summer School, representing Ndola Teaching Hospital and building networks with global infectious disease experts. 

Kenya (June): Caroline Wafula and Emmanuel Tanui attended the 45th PSK Scientific Conference, discussing pharmacy practice, patient safety, and health policy. 

Berlin (June): Fellows from Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia participated in ARAE10, the 10th Symposium on Antimicrobial Resistance in Animals and the Environment, deepening their knowledge on surveillance and environmental transmission. 

Uganda (June): At the World Aquaculture Conference, Mahmoud Eltholth, Cidee Khaseke, and (Alumni) Israel Mugezi showcased regional work on aquatic AMR, an emerging priority under the One Health approach. 

Driving One Health and knowledge translation

ZNPHI
Photo from left to right: Joseph Chizimu, Taona Sinyawa, Paul Zulu, Tibale Ngwata and Ricky Chazya.

In Zambia (June): A major milestone was achieved with the drafting of Zambia’s first One Health Policy Framework, coordinated by Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI). Fellows also helped form a multi-sectoral manuscript team to publish national AMR surveillance findings, highlighting the Fellowship’s growing role in institutional leadership and scientific communication. 

Communicating AMR work to the world

The AMR Exchange hosts Adrian Muwonge
Adrian Muwonge in the University of Edinburgh podcast studio.

In July: A new podcast hosted by Emily O’Reilly and Nadia MacArthur at the University of Edinburgh is giving voice to Fellows across the globe. This initiative captures how the Fleming Fund Fellowship Scheme is building capacity, fostering leadership, and translating AMR science for broader audiences. 

Conclusion

From policymaking and professional milestones to global conferences and cross-sectoral collaboration, the past two months have highlighted the diverse and growing impact of the Fleming Fund Fellows. These efforts continue to strengthen a One Health, evidence-based, and collaborative response to combating AMR. 

Read Further

About the Fleming Fund

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)'s Fleming Fund is a UK aid programme supporting up to 25 countries across Africa and Asia to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a leading contributor to deaths from infectious diseases worldwide.

The Fleming Fund invests in strengthening AMR surveillance systems through a portfolio of country grants, regional grants, and fellowships managed by Mott MacDonald and global projects managed by the DHSC.

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