New Paper Outlines Different Approach to Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance Challenge

The South American Infectious Diseases Initiative (SAIDI) announces the release of a comprehensive document describing a nontraditional approach to containing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in South America. The paper, developed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with Links Media, outlines the set of practice-proven steps to promote integrated, collaborative and multisectoral partnership at the country and local level.

The approach outlined in the 52-page document is based on an eco-systemic analysis, open information exchange, and the leveraging of shared resources, ideas and lessons learned. It creates immediate value for the countries seeking effective response to AMR challenges. The document encourages countries that face complex public health problems such as AMR to adopt and institutionalize nontraditional methodologies for control and prevention purposes. It can be used to facilitate program planning, development, and evaluation. The document is available on the SAIDI Web site (usaidsaidi.org/extras/SAIDI_APPROACH_lo_f_012411.pdf). The Web site also offers the latest news about AMR issues, country-level information, best practices, lessons learned, and examples of South-South cooperation.

"The objective of the SAIDI approach is to strengthen a country's ability to intervene, contain, and prevent AMR by assessing its AMR-contributing factors and building its capacity," says Dr. Jaime Chang, coordinator for SAIDI at the Health Office of USAID in Peru. "What makes the approach effective is the focus on a systemic, integrated and coherent response from an array of national stakeholders and of international agencies providing technical assistance."

SAIDI is a multinational effort that is active at national and community levels to contain the spread of AMR. The Initiative was developed, promoted, and funded by USAID beginning in 2003. USAID identified three countries for SAIDIBolivia, Paraguay, and Peruand provided technical assistance in the areas of appropriate use and management of antimicrobials, medicine quality assurance and control, education for health professionals and behavior change communication through a multifaceted, multidisciplinary and systemic approach. SAIDI took a non-traditional, holistic approach to AMR in South America through the formation of multisectoral partnerships to identify AMR determinants in each country and develop specific interventions to contain AMR. Results show that implementation of the SAIDI approach strengthened the ability of each country to intervene, contain, and prevent AMR.