CAMO-Net has officially launched one of its key research themes: technology and innovation for optimised prescribing. The theme launched with a global seminar, hosted by theme Chair Professor Pantelis Georgiou, to discuss advancements in diagnostic technologies tailored for low-resource settings.
Professor Gordon Awandare, CAMO-Net Ghana Lead at the University of Ghana, presented his work on addressing the diagnostics challenge to enhance disease control in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). His insights shed light on the pivotal role of diagnostics in disease management within resource-constrained environments, and the unique and multi-faceted challenges LMICs face in using the latest technological advances to treat patients.
Professor Awandare said, “In low-middle income countries there’s a lot of presumptive prescribing. Many minor symptoms are treated as though they are malaria due to lack of proper diagnostics. In Ghana, we are working towards more optimised prescribing by addressing the reasons behind this lack of diagnostics, using our knowledge of the challenges that face low-middle income countries to create appropriate solutions.”
Dr Jesus Rodriguez Manzano, Senior Lecturer in Diagnostics from CAMO-Net UK, discussed some of the rapid diagnosis innovations at Imperial College London, presenting some of cutting-edge solutions that have been developed there in order to revolutionise disease detection and treatment efficacy.
Focusing on the practical application of diagnostic technologies within CAMO-Net projects, researchers at the launch seminar also introduced some of their projects.
Dr Nazareno Scaccia from CAMO-Net Brazil, shared the Brazil team’s insights into understanding the epidemiology of resistant microorganisms in urban communities, underlining the significance of localised data for targeted interventions. The team in Brazil have been working extensively with the local government in São Caetano do Sul, a city in the greater São Paulo region. This work includes collecting samples from local water supplies and sewage as well as introducing best practices to primary care and hospital services in the city.
Concluding the seminar, Dr Sanjeev Singh, CAMO-Net India Co-Lead, explored the enrichment of data and the importance of data linkage to inform clinical decision support systems, address dosing gaps for priority populations, and evaluate the integration of point-of-care digital diagnostics.
Professor Georgiou said, “It was fantastic to see such a large turnout from around the world at this seminar, and it really resonates with what a global opportunity we have at CAMO-Net to collaborate on driving the latest technological innovations forward together.”
The event highlighted the importance of fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange at CAMO-Net and underscored our collective commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to optimise prescribing practices and address antimicrobial resistance globally.
