National Policy on Prevention and Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance.

This Policy on Prevention and Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance is a cross-sectoral policy document at national level. The goal of this Policy is to reduce the burden of AMR and promote prudent use of antimicrobial agents to ensure that, for as long as possible, there is continued successful treatment and prevention of microbial diseases with effective, quality assured and safe antimicrobials, accessible to all who need them.
The Policy recognizes that the impact of AMR on the Agricultural Sector will have enormous negative effects on the Kenyan economy, and AMR threatens the sustainable growth of the agricultural sector in ensuring food security and trade across different economies. Mitigating the impact of AMR is therefore considered as a national priority.
To achieve the overall goal of the Policy, five strategic objectives will guide this policy: Objective 1: Improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance through effective communication, education and training. Objective 2: Strengthen the knowledge and evidence base on AMR through surveillance and research. Objective 3: Reduce the incidence of infection through effective sanitation, hygiene and infection prevention and control. Objective 4: Optimize the use of antimicrobials in human, animal and plant health. Objective 5: To support sustainable investment that takes into account of the needs of Kenya, and increase investment in new medicines, diagnostic tools, vaccines and other interventions. The Policy further proposes policy interventions to address the above objectives, which include: 1. Review and develop guidelines for infection prevention and control (IPC); hygiene & sanitation; good agricultural and animal husbandry practices; preventive vaccinations; farm biosecurity; food and water safety; & prudent antimicrobial use; 2. Develop and/or review existing legislation to support compliance IPC guidelines; 3. Develop and review policies, guidelines and strategies to optimize and regulate the use of antimicrobials; 4. Review, develop and enforce legislation on prudent use of antimicrobial agents; 5. Provide for mechanisms to implement the guidelines by County Governments; 6. Ensure that professional regulatory bodies support health care provider compliance to antimicrobial use guidelines. 7. Increase investment in research for new and existing antimicrobials, diagnostic tools, alternative medicine, vaccines and other interventions; 8. Provide an enabling environment for private sector to undertake research and development of new antimicrobials, vaccines, alternative medicine and diagnostics; 9. Collaborate with local and international research organizations to support research in antimicrobial resistance; etc.
The Ministries responsible for Health and Livestock, Fisheries & Crops will jointly establish the multisectoral AMR Secretariat hosted at the Ministry responsible for Health to coordinate the AMR agenda.