National AMR context
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the leading global public health threats and a major cause of mortality worldwide, with low- and middle-income countries disproportionately affected. In African settings, fragile health systems, limited infection prevention infrastructure, weak antimicrobial stewardship systems, and inappropriate antimicrobial use in both human and animal health continue to accelerate the emergence and spread of AMR. In addition, livestock production systems often experience unregulated antimicrobial use, while limited biosecurity measures contribute to disease transmission and increased antimicrobial dependence. Although many countries have developed National Action Plans on AMR, implementation remains constrained by limited technical capacity to operationalise antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and biosecurity interventions using systematic quality improvement approaches. Frontline professionals, including healthcare workers, veterinary professionals, and farmers, frequently lack practical skills in measurement, behaviour change, implementation science, and quality improvement methodologies required to sustain AMS and IPC interventions.
Problem this project addresses
This project addresses the critical gap in practical implementation capacity for AMS, IPC, and biosecurity interventions across human and animal health sectors in Africa. While awareness of AMR and stewardship principles has increased, there remains insufficient capacity among frontline implementers to systematically measure antimicrobial use, assess IPC practices, analyse behavioural barriers, and implement sustainable quality improvement interventions.
Existing training programmes are often fragmented, heavily theoretical, and insufficiently contextualised for health service delivery settings. In the agri-food and veterinary sectors, farmers and para-veterinary professionals frequently have limited access to structured AMS and biosecurity training, despite being key decision-makers regarding antimicrobial use. In addition, many programmes do not integrate One Health perspectives or establish sustained mentorship and coaching structures needed for long-term skills application.
The project also expands access to training in both English- and French-speaking countries and scales the pool of trainers in the region and leverages both in-person engagement and digital training infrastructure. By combining implementation science, behaviour change methodologies, blended learning, and mentorship within a One Health framework, the project seeks to build sustainable systems and regional expertise to strengthen AMR mitigation efforts across sectors.
“This project represents an important investment in strengthening practical implementation capacity for antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention, and quality improvement through a One Health approach across Africa.” Dr Sunday Ochai, Head of One Health, ICARS
Project overview
The One Health Drive AMS-IPC Africa project aims to develop and implement a multidisciplinary capacity-building programme for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), infection prevention and control (IPC), and biosecurity through a structured One Health and quality improvement approach. The project builds on the existing Drive-AMS model developed by Radboudumc and expands it to integrate animal health and agri-food systems while incorporating lessons learned from previous ICARS-supported AMS programmes in East Africa. Over a 33-month implementation period, the project will establish a bilingual blended learning platform in English and French hosted on Amref’s JIBU e-learning platform. The programme includes a common One Health curriculum combined with contextualised human and animal health learning tracks.
During implementation, 40 trainers from across Africa will undergo an 18-month Training of Trainers (ToT) programme focused on measurement, behaviour change, and quality improvement methodologies while implementing their own AMS/IPC projects. These trainers will subsequently serve as faculty and mentors for an additional cohort of 80 participants. The project integrates online learning, onsite workshops, webinars, coaching, and peer learning while leveraging partnerships with regional stakeholders including WHO AFRO, Africa CDC, FAO, ILRI, and ReAct Africa to support sustainability and regional ownership.
“The One Health Drive AMS-IPC Africa programme will help build sustainable regional expertise and practical implementation skills needed to strengthen AMS and IPC systems across both human and animal health sectors.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jeroen Schouten, Radboudumc
Intended outcomes
The project is expected to strengthen sustainable implementation capacity for AMS, IPC, and biosecurity interventions across human and animal health sectors in Africa. Key outcomes include:
- the establishment of a bilingual One Health blended learning programme integrated into Amref’s educational infrastructure
- the development of a contextualised and quality-assured curriculum
- the creation of a sustainable regional pool of trainers and mentors.
By the end of the project, 40 trainers and 80 additional participants from English- and French-speaking African countries will have completed the programme and implemented locally relevant quality improvement projects within their institutions or communities. The project will also strengthen regional collaboration and stakeholder engagement through the involvement of institutions such as WHO AFRO, Africa CDC, FAO, AU-IBAR, and ILRI. Participants will gain practical skills in antimicrobial use measurement, behaviour change, implementation science, and quality improvement approaches applicable to both healthcare and agri-food systems. The integration of digital learning platforms, structured mentorship, and regional training hubs is expected to improve long-term accessibility and scalability of the programme beyond the funding period. Ultimately, the project aims to contribute to improved antimicrobial use practices, strengthened infection prevention systems, and more sustainable AMR mitigation efforts across Africa.
“Amref has worked with One Health stakeholders to identify the drivers of AMR at the sub-national level. We will leverage this program and work closely with One Health stakeholders to impact practical skills that address these gaps in service delivery points ” Dr Jackline Kiarie, Director of Programmes, ICD, Amref Health Africa
Article first published on https://icars-global.org/projects/one-health-amr-training-africa/