By Kumba Leigh
Clinicians and laboratory personnel from hospitals across The Gambia have undergone specialised training in microbiology aimed at strengthening Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) efforts.
The training seeks to establish a robust microbiology-based AMR surveillance system in major hospitals nationwide. Key objectives include equipping laboratory staff to accurately identify eight priority pathogens as outlined by the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS), minimising and controlling healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), and forming Drug and Therapeutics Committees (DTCs) to drive effective AMR surveillance, stewardship, and IPC strategies.
In an interview with Haruna Jallow, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Focal Person and Principal Laboratory Scientist at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of recent training programs aimed at combating antimicrobial resistance in The Gambia.
Jallow affirmed that the training equips participants with essential knowledge and skills to properly identify pathogens, guide antibiotic use, ensure proper prescription practices, promote personal hygiene, and implement strategies to encourage the judicious use of antibiotics by both patients and prescribers.
“Antibiotic resistance isn’t just about patients misusing drugs,” Jallow stated. “It also stems from overdosing, poor hygiene practices, and even antibiotics given to animals we later consume. This training will help strengthen our health workforce and improve neonatal care in our hospitals,” he added.
He further stressed the rise in neonatal deaths due to bacterial infections. “People often attribute such deaths to natural causes, but not all deaths are natural. Healthcare workers must investigate and identify the root causes,” he suggested. Jallow also cited World Health Organisation projections that by 2050, an estimated 10 million deaths annually could be attributed to AMR.
Highlighting The Gambia’s proactive response, he said: “As a country, we are adopting the ‘One Health Approach,’ which brings together the environment, food safety, the Pharmaceutical Council, and the animal health sector. We have a technical working group to foster collaboration in tackling this public health threat.”
The Principal Laboratory Scientist expressed concern over the limited public awareness of AMR, especially among livestock farmers who may not understand proper drug use in animals. “People consume these animals, and resistance can be transferred. Resistance can also come from polluted water bodies, including seafood exposed to contaminated waste. These pose serious health risks,” he warned.
He also raised a critical issue: “The Gambia is not yet contributing microbiological data to the global AMR surveillance platform. There’s very limited microbiology work being done in most of our health facilities, yet laboratory investigation is key to understanding and tackling AMR”.
Dr. Sheriffo Jagne, Director of the National Public Health Laboratories at the Ministry of Health, echoed these concerns, stressing that AMR is a pressing issue and that health workers’ capacities must be strengthened. “Health workers need to be vigilant and ensure that prescriptions are evidence-based, given to the right person, and targeted to the specific illness. There are various levels of AMR, and combating it requires a collective effort, from health professionals to livestock farmers,” Dr. Jagne stated.
In addition, participants in the training included health workers from Bansang General Hospital, Basse District Hospital, Farafenni General Hospital, Soma District Hospital, Bwiam General Hospital, Brikama General Hospital, BMCC, Kanifing General Hospital, and Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital. Representatives from the Pharmacy Council, the Food Safety and Quality Authority, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Ministry of Health also took part.
