On 2 September 2025, the CAMO-Net South Africa Hub brought together leaders in research, policy, and practice for the second Global Health Indaba, held as part of the WHX conference in Cape Town. Led by Professors Salome Maswime, Sipho Dlamini, and Esmita Charani, the Indaba explored this year’s theme: African Solutions for Global Impact.

An Indaba is a Southern African term (from Zulu and Xhosa) that means a gathering, meeting, or discussion – usually one that brings people together to exchange ideas, share concerns, and make decisions. The day was shaped around three interconnected conversations – Financing and Aid, Health Innovations, and Access to Healthcare – with contributions from experts across the continent.

CAMO-Net voices were strongly represented. Dr Andrew Kambugu, Uganda Hub Lead, and Dr Janet Midega, Research Lead at the Wellcome Trust, joined Associate Professor Esmita Charani to reflect on access to healthcare, disease burden, and knowledge practices. They were in conversation with Associate Professor Tracey Naledi (UCT), Dr Francis Magombo (WHO), Dr David Mametja (Health and Care Professions Council of South Africa), Professor Sizulu Moyo (South African Human Research Council), and Dr Luvuyo Bayeni (South Africa National Department of Health).

Professor Sipho Dlamini chaired a powerful session on health financing with Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health. Meanwhile, Professor Salome Maswime joined Dr Mireille Wenger, Western Cape Minister for Health and Wellbeing, for a high-level panel exchange. Innovations took centre stage in another lively session where CAMO-Net Fellow Dr Dena Van Den Bergh was among the panellists.

Beyond the conference, the gathering created opportunities to deepen collaboration. Professors Mendelson and Dlamini, together with Drs Midega and Kambugu, met at Groote Schuur Hospital to share updates. The South Africa team also hosted a special visit to Eh!woza, where we connected with Dr Anastasia Koch, Mr Ed Young, Ms Mbali Jyiane, and the team. Discussions centred on early findings from joint Wellcome Trust–funded CAMO-Net and PROTEA studies, alongside insights from the Trinity Challenge Youth Award. A key theme was the potential for cross-country learning in community co-design and engagement – work that will continue with a follow-up site visit to the Eastern Cape later this year.

Of course, no visit to Cape Town would be complete without showing off some of its charm. Our colleagues enjoyed some downtime with Professor Naledi, Professor Maswime, and Dr Moses Isiagi from the Global Surgery team – a fitting close to a week of rich discussions and shared vision.

Martha Akle Asare is my name, a postgraduate student finalizing my Masters of Philosophy in Molecular cell biology of infectious diseases at the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, a centre of CAMO-Net, located at the Department of Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon. As part of my training as an early career scientist, I was privileged to participate and present a scientific poster at the just ended British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) Spring conference on the 15th and 16th of May, 2025 in Birmingham, UK. This conference was organized by BSAC, one of four conferences organized annually. BSAC conferences focus on exploring cutting-edge research, connecting participants with global experts, and helping shape the future of our response to Anti-microbial resistance (AMR), a global health emergency. My poster presentation was on HSD 1624, a small molecule compound found to synergize colistin against multidrug resistant bacteria. The data from this study proved that repurposing of antibiotics like colistin is a great strategy to combat the growing issue of AMR globally.

My general experience at my first international conference was surreal. The event took place at the International Convention Centre, a state-of-the-art facility with highly professional staff to assist all visitors. This was a hybrid conference hence equipment was set up to enable the online audience follow the proceedings each day. The flow was easy, timed and cool. Overall, the conference consisted of 14 sessions. After registration at the reception and coffee, the event kickstarted with a welcome address from BSAC president, Professor Andrew Seaton. Generally, talks by presenters focused on vaccines and phage therapy, new antibiotics, antibiotic stewardship, Antibiotic susceptibility testing, bacterial infections diagnosis, Delinkage model and control of antibiotic use by the Pharmacy. Additionally, there were invited lectures on Fungal infections, Conflict and AMR, Faecal Matter Transplant (FMT) and Biocides.

Poster presentations took place during routinely scheduled coffee and lunch breaks. It was during those times that I had interactions with participants from different parts of the world during the poster presentation. I also learn from other poster presenters on drug discovery and AMR related studies. Coffee session was interesting as it provides opportunity for networking and collaborations. Also, biotechnology companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific were present to interact with participants on the latest developments. The highlight of this event for me was placing 1st for Best Poster and this meant I get a free registration for the next BSAC conference in October. My participation in the BSAC Spring conference aligns with my future career objective of becoming a Principal Investigator. I aim to go full time into drug discovery for bacterial infections especially those associated or attributed to AMR. In order to achieve this, I would need to gain proficiency in research data presentation and scientific communication to better prepare me to apply for a PhD position.

I will like to acknowledge the unwavering support of my supervisors, Dr. Abiola Isawumi and Professor Herman O. Sintim as well as AMR Group at WACCBIP for the training and encouragements. I am thankful to West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) and DAAD Germany for research support and funding. Finally, I would like to thank CAMO-Net for the travel fellowship and BSAC for the opportunity.

CAMO-Net Uganda recently marked an important milestone with the launch of a new antimicrobial stewardship interventional study at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda.

The project, led by CAMO-Net Fellow Dr Fiona Mutesi Magololo, is the first of its kind to apply a Quality Improvement (QI) approach to support rational antibiotic use on the hospital’s adult surgical wards. The study builds directly on Uganda’s National Antimicrobial Stewardship Manual, launched earlier in May 2025.

The launch event, held at IDI-Mulago, brought together a wide range of stakeholders from across the hospital. Attendees included Dr Ssekabira (Deputy Executive Director), Dr Orwotho Nobert (Clinical Head of Surgery), members of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee, the Infection Prevention and Control Head Nurse, laboratory staff, pharmacists, and nurses from the surgical wards. Their presence reflected a shared commitment to addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through practical, collaborative solutions.

In his opening remarks, CAMO-Net Uganda Lead Dr Andrew Kambugu drew a vivid analogy between antibiotics and the human heart, reminding participants of just how vital and precious these medicines are, and urging that they be protected as carefully as life itself. Dr Henry Kajumbula followed with a keynote speech that revisited the words of Alexander Fleming in 1945, when he warned that antibiotic misuse could lead to the global threat of resistance now being witnessed.

The CAMO-Net Uganda team, together with Dr Magololo, guided participants through the study protocol and introduced CAMO-Net’s Training and Capacity Strengthening Programme. Attendees shared their own experiences of antibiotic use on the wards and engaged in discussions on practical steps to strengthen stewardship practices.

The Head of Surgery expressed gratitude and pledged full support for the initiative. CAMO-Net Co-Investigator Dr Dathan Byonanebye then closed the proceedings with a memorable quote: “Antimicrobial resistance is the HIV of tomorrow.” He urged all stakeholders to act decisively to prevent AMR from becoming the next major health crisis.

The study was formally launched by the Deputy Executive Director, who thanked CAMO-Net for bringing this first intervention to Mulago and for being the first to implement the Ministry of Health’s antimicrobial stewardship guidelines using a collaborative QI approach.

The strong turnout, active participation, and enthusiasm from all corners of the hospital made the event a resounding success. The launch marked not only the beginning of a research project but also the start of a wider partnership with healthcare professionals to build capacity, strengthen stewardship, and improve patient outcomes.

As Dr Magololo and the team begin work on the adult surgical wards, CAMO-Net looks forward to the study’s potential impact at Mulago and beyond.

Over the past five weeks, the CAMO-Net Uganda team has visited Mbarara, Soroti, Mbale, Gulu, Jinja, Arua, Lira, Kabale and Masaka Regional Referral Hospitals to share findings from studies on antibiotic use trends and the economic burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The data, collected from these very hospitals, was returned to the health workers whose daily decisions influence antibiotic use, creating space for dialogue and reflection on emerging resistance patterns across the country.

Health workers engaged with the findings, discussed their prescribing practices, and raised important questions about improving antibiotic stewardship. At Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, Dr Barugahare Banson – an immunologist at the hospital and Chair of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee at Busitema University Medical School – noted how uncommon it is for frontline staff to receive feedback from research teams. “We are often asked to provide data, but we rarely see what comes of it. It’s encouraging that the CAMO-Net team returned to show us how our prescribing practices are shaping resistance trends.” This sentiment was echoed across the other hospitals visited.

The discussions also raised systemic challenges, including the ease of accessing antibiotics over the counter outside hospital settings, and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks and clearer policy guidance to manage antibiotic access in both public and private healthcare sectors. This dissemination activity marks an important step in translating research into practice and underlines the value of evidence-based decision-making at all levels of care.

Located in the heart of Kampala, Katanga is one of the city’s largest informal settlements, stretching approximately 1.5 kilometres. Katanga is bordered by Mulago Hospital, Uganda’s largest referral hospital, and Makerere University, the country’s oldest and most prestigious institution of higher learning. Despite being surrounded by centres of education and healthcare, Katanga faces serious challenges, especially when it comes to health access and education.

Many residents of Katanga rely on buying medicine directly from drug shops or pharmacies without proper guidance, because seeing a doctor is expensive or inconvenient. This has led to widespread misuse of antibiotics, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing health threat in Uganda and beyond. A study by J. Leeuwen et al. (2017) revealed that nearly 30% either tried and failed or could not access medical services at all, highlighting a serious gap in healthcare access that fuels self-medication and over-the-counter drug use.

Meet Mama Fahad, a 27-year-old mother of three who has lived in Katanga for the past 15 years. She runs a small local bar, a business that helps her feed and educate her children. Her formal education ended in primary school, and like many in Katanga, she navigates life with resilience but limited access to reliable health information. (Mama Fahad preferred not to be photographed, which is why no image of her appears in this blog.) Mama Fahad’s story is not unique. Katanga is home to thousands like her – hardworking, resourceful, and deeply rooted in their community, yet often excluded from formal health messaging due to low literacy levels and language barriers.

Recognising this gap, CAMO-Net Uganda, in collaboration with Watoto Church, organised a medical camp on Saturday 19 July 2025. This is in alignment with CAMO-net Uganda hub’s Quad-Stakeholder PPIE Strategy (Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement). This model ensures a cohesive AMR response by synchronizing the efforts of policymakers, academic researchers, and various government ministries with the essential ‘first line’ of the community, including community memebers, local leaders and Village Health Teams. The initiative brought together partners including UMC, Diet Aid, Abbott, Pan Dental and others, offering services ranging from dietary guidance to medical consultations. What set this camp apart was its approach to health education.

Through dance, drama and skits, performed in Luganda, the local language spoken by most Katanga residents, the CAMO-Net Uganda team engaged the community in conversations about antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

“We didn’t know that using medicine without a doctor’s advice could make it stop working,” Mama Fahad said after watching one of the skits. “The play showed us how we are harming ourselves without knowing. Now I will tell my neighbours too.”

Her words reflect a profound truth: health education must speak the language of the people. In communities like Katanga, where formal education is limited and scientific jargon feels foreign, culturally relevant storytelling becomes a way to make knowledge accessible, memorable and actionable. Residents did not just watch a performance – they saw themselves in the stories, understood the risks, and left empowered to make healthier choices.

As the sun set over Katanga, the echoes of laughter, learning and healing lingered. The camp was a reminder that health equity begins with empathy, collaboration and communication that truly connects.

CAMO-Net Timor-Leste has launched the first phase of a project to introduce Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) for key antibiotics. The initiative is being delivered by the Menzies School of Health Research in partnership with Universidade da Paz (UNPAZ).

This important milestone marks a step forward in supporting the responsible use of antibiotics and strengthening antimicrobial stewardship across the country. The initiative is being delivered in close collaboration with five referral hospitals – including Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares (HNGV), HOREX Baucau, RAEOA Referral Hospital, and referral hospitals in Maubisse, Maliana and Suai.

The first awareness-raising activity – known locally as a “socialisation session” – was held in Oecusse. Led by Menzies researcher Agata do Espírito Santo Soares, the session featured a presentation on: “Describing glycopeptide and aminoglycoside use, indications, and patient outcomes across Timor-Leste’s national and referral hospitals, and optimising glycopeptide use through the introduction of vancomycin level testing in the National Laboratory.”

Eighteen participants from a range of professional backgrounds joined the discussion, exploring how TDM could help improve the effectiveness of antibiotic treatments and limit the development of resistance.

Next, the team travelled to Baucau, where Menzies researcher Guilherme Ximenes Soares – supported by a research nurse and colleagues – delivered the same presentation. The event drew 33 attendees from across the clinical and health sectors, creating space for insightful dialogue on antibiotic use and resistance.

In Maliana, the session was led by the dedicated Menzies team and attracted 50 participants, including doctors and pharmacists. The interactive format encouraged rich knowledge-sharing and reflections on how TDM could improve patient outcomes.

A high turnout followed at Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares (HNGV), where 77 healthcare professionals took part. As in earlier sessions, the event focused on optimising antibiotic use through improved monitoring, while also building awareness and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Further engagement came from Suai Referral Hospital, where 19 participants joined the discussion. The session continued to highlight the value of TDM in strengthening clinical practice at the referral level.

The final stop in this first phase was Maubisse. Here, 35 healthcare professionals gathered to consider the implications of TDM on antibiotic use and patient care within Timor-Leste’s health system. Like previous sessions, the event promoted active dialogue and shared commitment to better antimicrobial use.

With the successful completion of phase one, the project team is encouraged by the widespread engagement from health professionals across the country. These early steps provide a strong foundation for advancing antimicrobial optimisation in Timor-Leste, with momentum building for the work still to come.

Two CAMO-Net researchers based in South Africa – Professor Natalie Schellack and Dr Dena van den Bergh – have been celebrated in a new editorial spotlighting the global leadership of women in antimicrobial stewardship and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The article, Women trailblazers shaping the global future of antimicrobial stewardship and antimicrobial resistance, was published in the journal Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy.

Their inclusion among a select group of international experts highlights not only the calibre of their work, but the growing global recognition of the vital contributions made by women leading efforts to address AMR – a major and rising threat to public health.

Professor Schellack is widely regarded as a pioneer in pharmacy practice in South Africa, having led key national AMR strategies, helped found the South African Society of Clinical Pharmacists, and developed the country’s first web-based application for measuring antimicrobial use. Her work has been pivotal in strengthening the role of pharmacists within AMS teams and improving patient safety across resource-limited settings.

Dr van den Bergh’s innovative approach blends systems engineering and healthcare leadership to drive quality improvement in AMR and infection prevention. As a founding member of the South Africa Antibiotic Stewardship Programme, she has led large-scale AMS implementation studies across public and private sectors, helping transform clinical practice using contextually relevant tools and collaborative methodologies.

Their inclusion in the publication is a significant accolade, shining a spotlight on their commitment to mentorship, innovation, and health systems change – and on the broader impact of CAMO-Net South Africa in the AMR landscape.

Based in the Division of Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine at the University of Cape Town, CAMO-Net’s National Hub in South Africa is led by Professors Marc Mendelson and Esmita Charani. The team undertakes world-leading research on AMR and stewardship, and has strong links to both national and global policy.

Their work focuses on implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with expertise spanning organisational and individual behaviour change, team dynamics, and innovation adoption. The team also plays an important role in public and community engagement through its partnership with Eh!Woza – a collaboration between scientists, artists, an NGO, and young people from Khayelitsha.

The recognition of Professor Schellack and Dr van den Bergh reinforces the global significance of CAMO-Net South Africa’s work and reflects the growing leadership of African researchers in shaping the future of AMR response.

Reactions

Professor Natalie Schellack: “The recognition of women’s leadership in antimicrobial stewardship reflects not just individual achievements, but the collective strength that emerges when diverse perspectives unite to tackle global health challenges. In South Africa, we’ve learned that contextually relevant solutions require collaborative approaches that embrace our unique healthcare landscape. When women are empowered to lead in AMR, we bring essential insights from our experiences in caregiving, patient advocacy, and community engagement. This recognition is particularly meaningful as it highlights how mentorship and supportive networks can amplify our impact. Moving forward, it’s crucial that we continue to foster inclusive environments where the next generation of women can thrive in antimicrobial stewardship, ensuring that diverse voices continue to shape evidence-based solutions that serve all communities.”

Dr Dena Van Den Bergh: “I feel honoured to be a collaborator in writing this paper bringing together the shared experience of women in AMS whose paths have crossed during our journey. Hearing their stories highlighted that we need more trailblazers in tackling antibiotic resistance and uncovered the common strengths and traits that are needed to transform challenges into opportunities.

As women in healthcare, we have often hold back from telling our stories forgetting how sharing stories can raise awareness about the challenges we all are committed to tackling and ignite the type of solutions we see as the way forward. We also tell our stories to remind others walking the path of the trailblazer that they are not alone. I would never have imagined it was possible to find so many women leaders in AMS that would not only cheer each other on but be generous in collaborating and sharing ideas to advance our work! We are just a small representation of global women that have made an impact in AMS and healthcare change. I trust our paper inspires others to embrace being an AMS trailblazer and tell their own stories.“

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The CAMO-Net Uganda Hub has trained its first group of 62 community health workers to support antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) efforts at the grassroots level. These Village Health Team (VHT) members are now better equipped to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR), educate households, and contribute to data collection on medicine use. This milestone marks the beginning of a phased engagement strategy that places VHTs at the heart of Uganda’s community-led response to AMR.

In 2001, the Ministry of Health, Uganda, introduced the scheme to provide basic healthcare and health information at a local level. VHTs are the first point of contact for many health-related issues, empowering communities to participate in health decisions and strengthening service delivery. They are responsible for delivering basic health services, including health education, disease prevention, basic prescriptions, health data collection, and referrals.

As part of its public and patient involvement and engagement strategy, the CAMO-Net Uganda Hub adopted a phased approach to working with VHTs. This initiative aims to:

• Jointly identify the challenges VHTs face in enforcing National Action Plan (NAP) guidelines on antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
• Evaluate their current knowledge on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS)
• Train them on AMS principles
• Provide Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to support community awareness and education on AMR
• Leverage their capacity to collect data on household-level antimicrobial use.

The CAMO-Net Uganda Hub officially onboarded its first cohort of 62 VHTs in May 2025. During this session, the VHTs shared their experiences and challenges in implementing AMR containment initiatives at the community level. Facilitators led interactive sessions on the risk factors contributing to antimicrobial resistance and practical ways to prevent it.

The training also included a session led by Dr David Musoke, the President Elect of the International Federation of Environmental Health and an Associate Professor at Makerere University School of Public Health. Dr Musoke, shared valuable insights on how VHTs can effectively train their peers and expand awareness of AMS within their communities.

This milestone marks a significant step in strengthening Uganda’s grassroots capacity to combat AMR through informed, empowered, and well-equipped VHTs. The team looks forward to engaging these VHTs more frequently to provide continued education and to evaluate the effectiveness of their community training efforts. Additionally, the hub plans to leverage the VHT network to collect household-level data on antimicrobial use, which will inform future interventions and possible policy recommendations.

Dr Raheelah Ahmad, Reader in Health Systems at City St George’s, University of London, and Knowledge Mobilisation Lead for CAMO-Net, has been recognised with two prestigious awards celebrating her academic leadership, mentorship, and commitment to global health research.

At City St George’s, she was awarded the university-level Postgraduate Supervisor of the Year – Academic Impact Award. Part of the institution’s annual Academic Impact Awards, this honour is based on student nominations and committee review, and highlights Dr Ahmad’s outstanding support for postgraduate researchers and her ability to foster inclusive, impactful academic environments.

Internationally, during her keynote at the 6th International Medical Research Conference (IMRC) organised by HealthRAB, Dr Ahmad was presented with an award for her sustained contributions to research partnerships in Pakistan. Her keynote address, ‘Technology and Beyond – Achieving UNGA AMR Targets Through Health Systems Research’, emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration in tackling antimicrobial resistance.

“I’m honoured to receive these awards, which reflect the power of collaboration – whether through nurturing early career researchers or building partnerships across borders. Impactful research is never a solo effort; it’s about working together to generate knowledge that improves lives.”

Dr Ahmad has worked closely with CAMO-Net’s shadow site at Dow University of Health Sciences, led by Dr Izhar Huassain, who also attended the events, and research collaborators across Pakistan since 2019. Marium Habib, General Manager of HealthRAB, reflected on the spirit of the award: “Research must go beyond publication – it must drive change and improve lives.”