Strategies and challenges in containing antimicrobial resistance in East Africa: a focus on laboratory-based surveillance

This study examined how East African Community (EAC) countries are implementing their national strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with a focus on surveillance. Using input from experts across six EAC nations, the analysis revealed large differences in progress: implementation of National AMR Action Plans ranged from only 7% in Burundi to 94% in Kenya, while the WHO AMR surveillance checklist scores varied from 44% in South Sudan to 100% in Kenya and Uganda. Most EAC countries have set up national AMR surveillance systems coordinated by reference laboratories, but many still face major barriers, including limited lab capacity, poor data coverage, fragmented systems, and insufficient funding. The authors conclude that stronger regional collaboration is key — shared resources, harmonized surveillance systems, and networks like the EAC Regional Network of Reference Laboratories could help countries collectively strengthen their response to AMR and guide regional investment and policy priorities.