The government through the Pharmacy and Poisons Board on Thursday launched the Kenya Surveillance System for Antimicrobial Consumption (KESAC) in the battle against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
AMR occurs when viruses, bacteria or fungi develop resistance to antimicrobial medicines making infections become difficult or impossible to treat increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability and death. Antimicrobials are medicines that include antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals and antiparasitics.
This national initiative aims to monitor antimicrobial use and tackle the growing threat posed by AMR, which endangers public health and threatens decades of medical advancements. It makes infections harder to treat and renders medical procedures like surgeries much riskier.
The emergence and spread of AMR is accelerated by human activity, mostly by the overuse of antimicrobials to treat, prevent or control infections in humans, animals and plants.
KESAC which will be spearheaded by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board will track antimicrobial consumption throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain to ensure safety to patients. Additionally, KESAC will provide critical data to inform effective interventions and policy decisions.
During the virtual launch, F.M. Siyoi, CEO of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, represented by Anthony Toroitich, Director of Corporate Services, underscored the urgency of addressing AMR, warning that unchecked resistance could severely impact healthcare outcomes in future.
He highlighted the necessity of collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of KESAC.
This innovative system will fill a significant gap in Kenya’s ability to monitor antimicrobial consumption, allowing for the collection of data from importers, manufacturers, pharmacies and healthcare facilities.
The insights gained will guide targeted interventions to reduce irrational antimicrobial use, safeguard public health and strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
Siyoi called on healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and all stakeholders to fully embrace KESAC and join forces in the fight against AMR.
The launch reflects the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Health, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, USAID-MTaPS, and other key partners, and Siyoi expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in bringing this vital system to fruition.
World Health Organization (WHO) places AMR as one of the top global public health and development threats. The Global Organization estimates that bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 and contributed to 4.95 million deaths indirectly.
