together4AMR#6 Final Reflections

The final episode of the podcast series Together for AMR discusses the importance of a collaborative approach to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It highlights the success of existing programs in implementing diagnostic services, community engagement strategies, and surveillance systems, which can be leveraged to fight against AMR. However, there are barriers such as programmatic silos, funding constraints, and the complexity of AMR itself. Overcoming these challenges requires dedicated efforts and strategic planning. Establishing collaborative governance mechanisms at different levels and developing leadership competencies are also crucial. By promoting collaboration, leveraging synergies, and overcoming barriers, a resilient and effective response to AMR can be built. The host expresses gratitude to the global health leaders who participated in the series and hopes for continued guidance in the future. The series aims to provide valuable insights and inspiration for future effo Welcome to the sixth episode of this podcast series together for AMR. I am your host Anwar Parvez Syed and today we bring you our final episode. We will be summarizing key insights from our series and exploring how we can build a stronger collaborative response to combat antimicrobial resistance. Throughout our interviews with global health leaders and AMR experts, several critical synergies have been highlighted. Programs or communicable disease programs like TB, HIV, malaria and others have successfully implemented robust diagnostic and laboratory services, effective community engagement strategies and comprehensive surveillance systems. These existing strengths can be leveraged to enhance fight against AMR. Our experts pointed out during the interviews that a collaborative approach to AMR offers numerous benefits. These include creating sustainable systems, improving disease management and enhancing diagnostic capacities or capabilities. By integrating resources and efforts across programs, we can achieve more cost effective and efficient public health interventions. However, significant barriers remain such as programmatic silos, funding constraints and complexity of AMR itself. Overcoming these challenges require dedicated efforts and strategic planning. Governance for AMR is complex. Establishing collaborative governance mechanisms at global, regional, national and local levels with participation from all relevant stakeholders would be foundational step towards a sustainable and collaborative response to AMR. Additional leadership competencies have been also identified during these podcast interviews to sustain progress in disease specific programs and strengthen AMR management. Effective communication, strategic vision, project management, advocacy and data utilization are vital. Leaders must also be adaptable, collaborative and possess deep understanding of both behavioral and managerial sciences. By fostering these competencies, we can effectively collaborate much better for AMR into broader health programs and drive meaningful progress in public health. As we conclude this series, it is clear that fight against AMR requires a unified or united strategic and collaborative approach within communicable disease programs and beyond. By leveraging synergies across disease specific programs, overcoming barriers through strong leadership and promoting collaboration at all levels, we can build a resilient and effective response to AMR. I thank all five global health leaders who voluntarily participated in this podcast series and without their contribution, this would never have been possible. My wholehearted thanks to Dr. Elizabeth Taylor from WHO, Dr. Bharat Bhushan Diwari, WHO, Dr. Shafi Koya, WHO, Dr. Valen Siromani, CDC and Dr. Guru Rajesh Jami, World Bank. I hope we continue to receive guidance from them in future as well. Thank you for joining us on Together for AMR. We hope this series have provided valuable insights and inspiration for future efforts. Stay tuned for more discussions on global health challenges and solutions. Together we can make a difference. This is Anwar Parvez Sayyed signing off. Until next time, stay informed and stay engaged.