Parliamentary Forum in Uganda calls for improved practices to tackle antimicrobial resistance

UGANDA—Members of the Parliamentary Forum on Antimicrobial Resistance in Uganda have urged medical institutions to implement regular Continuous Medical Education (CME) programs, addressing the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

This initiative aims to curb the irrational use of antibiotic medicines, which is a significant contributor to AMR.

During a recent visit to Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, the Chairperson of the Forum, Hon. Charles Ayume, highlighted the importance of continuous assessment for private clinics.

He noted that maternal units in some health facilities are among the highest consumers of antibiotics, a trend that could exacerbate resistance if not addressed through education.

Ayume stressed that without ongoing education, private clinics may continue to prescribe antibiotics irrationally, further worsening the resistance problem.

Hon. Nicholas Kamara, a member of the Forum, underscored the urgent need for Entebbe Hospital to be equipped with an anti-biogram.

 This tool is crucial for informing antibiotic prescriptions by providing a summary of the susceptibility of bacterial isolates to various antimicrobial agents.

Kamara pointed out that some previously neglected drugs, like chloramphenicol, are now proving effective again in the local population.

However, without an anti-biogram, tracking these changes and making informed prescription decisions becomes challenging.

Additionally, Hon. Sarah Netalisire expressed concerns about the inconsistency of medical supplies, which hinders effective AMR management.

She questioned whether the hospital receives sufficient resources to sustain its efforts against AMR.

 The MPs recommended that the hospital adopt best practices from other referral hospitals and designate focal persons to ensure adherence to AMR protocols.

Dr. Edward Kiyonga, a laboratory technologist at Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, shared that the facility has expanded its diagnostic capabilities by establishing a hub system that processes samples from surrounding districts.

In 2024, they analyzed over 800 samples and project handling more than 1,000 this year.

This increased diagnostic capacity has improved decision-making regarding antibiotic prescriptions.

Antimicrobial resistance is a critical issue that arises when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist the effects of medicines.

This resistance renders common treatments ineffective, leading to severe illnesses, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality rates.

The Parliamentary Forum’s efforts are part of a broader strategy to elevate AMR on Uganda’s national health agenda, ensuring a coordinated and well-resourced response to this silent pandemic.

In related efforts, the Parliamentary Forum has also called for stringent enforcement of laws related to drug dispensation.

This includes ensuring that prescriptions are accurate and that drugs are only dispensed by authorized personnel.

The Forum recognizes that AMR is a silent pandemic that claims thousands of lives annually in Uganda, emphasizing the need for unified action across all sectors to combat it.

By advocating for continuous medical education and improved diagnostic tools, the Parliamentary Forum on Antimicrobial Resistance is playing a pivotal role in Uganda’s fight against AMR.

Their efforts underscore the importance of legislative action and public awareness in addressing this critical health challenge.

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