Ministry of Health has called for a robust surveillance system to monitor patterns and resistance of antibiotics to treatment.
This will involve the use of data gathered to identify hotspots of resistance in the country, track emerging threats and assess the impact of current interventions.
This comes even as health experts meet in Nairobi to discuss urgent ways of tackling the issue of antimicrobial resistance.
Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has acknowledged that antimicrobial resistance is a global crisis and a multifaceted challenge that demands undivided attention.
She has further noted that over the past century, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents have revolutionised healthcare, saving countless lives from infectious diseases.
The CS added the misuse and overuse of these life-saving drugs have triggered the rise of resistant strains of bacteria, rendering some treatments ineffective.
“Together, we must rise to the challenge, driven by the understanding that our united efforts will determine the fate of millions,” she said.
“As we make strides to improve equitable access to medicines including antimicrobials, quality concerns equally need to be addressed regardless of the socioeconomic status of the citizens.”
This, she said, includes access to diagnostics and appropriate antimicrobial treatment.
Kenya, in recognition of the threat of AMR and in line with the global call, developed a national policy and action plan for the prevention and containment of antimicrobial resistance in 2017.
Antimicrobial resistance threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi.
