Zimbabwe One Health Antimicrobial Resistance National Action Plan 2017-2021.

The Zimbabwe One Health Antimicrobial Resistance National Action Plan 2017-2021 is a national cross-sectoral plan of Zimbabwe. Its main objectives include surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial use (AMU) patterns in animals, humans and crops; prevention, which will reduce the need for antimicrobials through effective infection prevention and control (IPC), farm biosecurity and good farm practices, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and immunisation; rational antimicrobial use, which seeks to improve controlled access to antimicrobials and to optimise responsible use in animals and humans; and investment in research and development which seeks innovative ideas of alternatives to antimicrobials or quicker diagnostic techniques.
More specifically, the Plan provides to improve detection and understanding of the AMR and antimicrobial use patterns and trends through surveillance; reduce the need for antimicrobials by improving IPC, animal health and management practices including biosecurity, WASH and immunization; improve controlled access and op¬timise the use of antimicrobials in humans and animals; support sustainable investment into AMR interventions and research into new antimicrobials and alternatives to antimicrobials; improve awareness and understanding of AMR for the public, professionals and policy makers; strengthen the knowledge of human, animal, environment health professionals and feed manufacturers through improved curricula and educate farmers on AMR to support good prescribing practices; establish an AMU monitoring system for human and animal use; strengthen the existing biosecurity measures on hatcheries, farms, slaughter houses and food processing establishments to prevent, reduce and contain pathogens to improve livestock productivity, animal welfare, food security and food safety; improve movement controls of animals and animal products and border control mechanisms to reduce trans boundary animal disease; reduce the transmission of infectious diseases in communities, health, veterinary and plant facilities through effective water, sanitation and hygiene practices and provision of appropriate facilities; improve access to antimicrobials by animal keepers by increasing access points for the sale and provision of antimicrobials; strengthen veterinary control of antimicrobials use by animal keepers and veterinary para professionals without limiting access; ensure Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicine List reflect the current diseases and pathogens in humans and animals; ensure adequate supplies of quality assured essential antimicrobials at various levels of human and animal health delivery systems; control public access to antimicrobials at the point of the pharmacy and veterinary medicines general dealers; strengthen regulations to ensure appropriate use of antimicrobials in animals; and develop innovative modern diagnostics tools, vaccines and alternative therapies to antimicrobials.
The AMR governance structure was formed and en¬dorsed in August 2016 by the Secretary for Health and Child Care to allow for coordination, manage¬ment and monitoring of AMR activities in the coun¬try. The AMR focal point is the AMR Coordinator who will work under the Depart¬ment of Epidemiology and Disease Control, the Directorate Laboratory Services in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and the Division of Livestock and Veterinary Services. The Secretary for Health in the MoHCC is the office that is responsible for leading national AMR activi¬ties. The Core Group shall also report to the Perma¬nent Secretaries through the advisory committees in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development and the Ministry of Environ-ment, Climate & Water.