The University of Liverpool, one of CAMO-Net UK’s sites, is currently hosting seventeen Fleming Fund Fellows from Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The Fellows, leading experts on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in their countries, have joined the University for an intensive programme designed to strengthen AMR surveillance and research capacity. Their visit, part of the Fleming Fund Fellowship Scheme, will provide hands-on training, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities with UK experts.
The Fleming Fund, a UK aid programme funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, supports low- and middle-income countries in tackling AMR through surveillance, capacity building, and data-driven policymaking. The Fellowship Scheme is a key pillar of this work, fostering leadership and expertise in AMR control.
Professor Louise Kenny, Executive Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool, welcomed the fellows. Professor Kenny said, “We are immensely proud to partner not just with the Fleming Fund, but with governments around the world, represented by some of our Fellows, to address this existential threat to our lives. We see this as a mutual platform for learning, and this is a great opportunity to play our part in the global effort to address AMR.”
During their stay in the UK, the fellows will engage in a structured programme, including expert-led workshops, site visits to leading AMR research institutions, and personalised mentorship from UK specialists. They will also develop cross-sectoral collaborative projects to strengthen AMR surveillance and data analysis in their home countries.
Professor Alison Holmes, David Price Evans Chair in Global Health and Infectious Diseases and programme director for the Fleming Fund Fellowship Programme at the University of Liverpool, emphasised the programme’s impact: “This Fellowship is not just about training; it is about fostering a global network of AMR leaders. By working together, sharing expertise, and building partnerships, we can create sustainable solutions that have a lasting impact.”
The visit also includes engagements with local NHS partners and key UK institutions such as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), providing the fellows with insights into international best practices.
Dr Steve Aston, Senior Clinical Lecturer in Infectious Diseases at the University of Liverpool and Lead Mentor for the programme, highlighted the importance of collaboration:
“The challenges of AMR require cross-sectoral expertise, and this Fellowship is a platform for that exchange. The programme brings together experts from human health, animal health, aquaculture and the environment to encapsulate the One Health approach of the programme. And it’s not just a one way teaching programme. We are learning as much from the fellows as they are from us, and these partnerships will continue beyond their time in Liverpool.”
One of the Fleming Fund Fellows who attended the events in Liverpool was Dr Adetayo Mokuolu from Nigeria. Dr Mokuolu is a Senior Aquatic Health Officer from Nigeria, and the Aquaculture AMR Surveillance Fellow. He said, “This Fellowship is an incredible opportunity to strengthen my expertise in AMR surveillance and connect with global experts facing similar challenges. The mentorship and training we are receiving at the University of Liverpool will not only enhance our technical skills but also help us drive meaningful change in our home countries. I look forward to applying what I’ve learned to improve AMR data collection and policy implementation in Nigeria.”
This two-year Fellowship is a crucial step in equipping professionals with the skills and connections needed to combat AMR globally. By investing in people and knowledge-sharing, the programme aims to ensure that AMR surveillance remains a priority in both Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
