Supporting Fijian health and agricultural authorities
Strengthen and advance leadership, governance and operations to mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR), through a One Health approach in Fiji.
Globally, AMR has been identified as an increasingly serious threat to human and animal health, as well as livestock productivity. Most AMR initiatives are targeted at countries in the African and Asian regions, leaving behind the Pacific region.
The team on this project will carry out a scoping study in Fiji that identifies the research, capability and capacity development needs for mitigating AMR in humans, animals and the environment. It aims to build Fiji as a leader in AMR efforts in the Pacific Region.
The key objectives of the project are:
- Better understand the key policies, practises and challenges for the National AMR committee and other government stakeholders regarding current AMR risk, communication and management in Fiji
- Determine opportunities and gaps for integrated surveillance and training for practitioners and professionals working in AMR, including laboratory technicians, human healthcare support workers and animal health workers
- Better understand the risk and potential economic burden of AMR in order to develop a business case for longer-term control.
- Develop the proposal for a follow-on project in AMR risk assessment, management and communication in Fiji.
This CSIRO-led project is being delivered in partnership with the Fijian government, University of Technology Sydney, University of South Australia, Fiji National University and Xing Diagnostics.