Community-Based Surveillance of Antimicrobial Usage in Livestock

To address antibiotic misuse in cattle, a new initiative in the country will establish "Animal Health Clubs." These clubs will train cattle farmers, involving experienced veterinarians and sourcing quality medications. The focus is on proper drug use based on veterinary prescriptions and educating children of cattle owners for long-term sustainable animal healthcare. The initiative also includes establishing surveillance systems to track antibiotic usage and resistance trends, aiming to improve cattle industry health and sustainability.

Professor Roland Suluku, Head of Animal Science at Njala University, has 31 years of experience in animal husbandry, disease control, and environmental sanitation in Sierra Leone. An expert in One Health and rabies, he's led vaccination campaigns and represented Njala University in national and international health security initiatives

Facing a significant challenge with cattle owners misusing antibiotics, a new initiative in the country aims to establish "Animal Health Clubs." These clubs, comprising cattle farmers, will be trained by experienced veterinarians who will source quality medications from reputable companies. This initiative focuses on ensuring that drugs are used based on veterinary prescriptions, addressing the widespread misuse of antibiotics. The lack of access to trained veterinary professionals and proper communication channels contributes to this issue.

A key innovation of the project is educating cattle owners' children, equipping them with knowledge and skills for responsible antibiotic use, thus fostering a new generation of animal health practitioners. This strategy not only tackles immediate misuse but also promotes long-term sustainability in animal healthcare. Currently, there's a data gap in the country's cattle industry regarding antibiotic use. The project will link farmers with reliable veterinarians and establish surveillance systems to collect crucial data on antibiotic usage patterns and resistance trends. Overall, the project aims to reduce antibiotic misuse in cattle through education, Animal Health Clubs, and surveillance systems, enhancing the health and sustainability of the cattle industry

This project primarily benefits cattle rearers and owners who manage their livestock without veterinary support, enhancing animal health and reducing antibiotic misuse. Consumers also indirectly benefit through healthier livestock and lower AMR risks.

Key strategies include targeting literate youth in cattle-owning families for training in responsible drug administration, guided by veterinary advice. Research methods like focus groups and interviews will assess animal owners' needs. Animal Health Clubs will be established in each community for information sharing and best practices dissemination.

Dedicated One Health team members in communities will work on formulating balanced animal rations using local feed, thus building animal immunity and minimizing antibiotic use. These teams will also drive community engagement, emphasizing responsible antibiotic usage.

A community-based surveillance system will monitor and report antibiotic use and resistance, with data reported to relevant authorities at various levels. This approach aims to foster community involvement and awareness in AMR management, contributing to public health and livestock sustainability.

The Animal Health Club model in Sierra Leone offers a comprehensive, sustainable solution for improving animal healthcare and combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This model has several key features:

1. Community Peace, Unity, and Security: It fosters a sense of community cohesion, essential for effective project implementation.
2. Training Local Youth: Community children are trained in proper animal treatment and vaccination, promoting legitimate veterinary practices and reducing reliance on unlicensed practitioners.
3. Utilization of Local Resources: The model innovatively uses local grasses and fodders for animal rations, enhancing sustainability and self-reliance.
4. Publication and Dissemination: Outcomes and methodologies will be published in journals and brochures, broadening the model's impact and visibility.
5. Linkage with Drug Manufacturers: Collaboration with reputable companies ensures access to quality drugs, preventing the use of counterfeit medications.
6. Regulated Treatment Procedures: Treatments require approval from trained veterinarians, ensuring controlled and effective healthcare.
7. Impact on AMR: Addressing unregulated drug use and enhancing veterinary practices significantly contribute to combating AMR.
8. Sustainability and Replicability: The model's focus on community engagement and local resource use highlights its potential for long-term sustainability and adaptability in similar contexts.

In summary, the Animal Health Club model is a holistic, community-based approach that improves veterinary practices and combats AMR in Sierra Leone, with potential for wider application.

The Animal Health Club (AHC) model offers a strategic approach to addressing challenges in livestock management and combating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in regions with minimal government intervention and prevalent unregulated veterinary practices. This model focuses on safeguarding public health and improving livestock care. Its key components include:

1. Community-Based Surveillance: Establishing a system for monitoring antibiotic use in livestock at the community level, crucial for understanding and managing AMR.
2. Cross-Sector Collaboration: Emphasizing partnerships across sectors like agriculture, health, and environmental management for a comprehensive approach to AMR.
3. Registration and Training of Cattle Owners: Implementing training in areas such as livestock housing, ration formulation, and health management, covering both animals and the environment.
4. Real-Time Surveillance System: Monitoring antibiotic use across various domains, including humans, animals, and environmental sources.
5. Reporting Mechanism: Creating a system for community members to report AMR cases, ensuring data transparency and community awareness.
6. Training and Empowerment: Identifying communities for intervention and training locals in vaccination and treatment, establishing effective AMR surveillance.
7. Expected Outcomes: Training community youth in responsible treatment practices, providing access to reliable veterinary services, and ensuring all cattle are vaccinated and treated based on prescriptions.
8. Public Health Impact: Reducing public exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria by ensuring proper animal treatment.

In summary, the AHC model represents a holistic and sustainable approach to enhance livestock management and tackle AMR, creating a safer environment for animal rearing and public health through community involvement, education, and cross-sector collaboration.

The project’s phased implementation across twelve districts focuses on cattle rearing and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) management, allowing for adaptability, learning, and effective scaling.

Year 1: Pilot Phase in Four Districts

• Initial Implementation: The project starts in four districts, enabling close monitoring and adjustments.
• Data Collection and Analysis: AMR practices and community engagement levels are assessed.
• Lesson Learning: Identifying effective strategies and areas needing improvement.

Year 2: Expansion to Four More Districts

• Applying Learned Lessons: Strategies are refined based on the first year's insights.
• Continued Monitoring and Evaluation: Expansion includes ongoing evaluation in all districts.

Year 3: Expansion to Remaining Districts

• Full-Scale Implementation: The project extends to all remaining districts, applying accumulated lessons.
• Comprehensive Data Collection: Broad data collection to gauge overall impact.

Development of a Policy Document

• Collation of Findings: All data and lessons are consolidated.
• Policy Creation: A policy on AMR use and management is developed, incorporating community input.
• Global Sharing: Outcomes and policies are shared internationally, showcasing Sierra Leone as a model for One Health and AMR management.

Sustainability and Scaling

• Embedding Practices: Practices and policies are integrated into local communities and healthcare systems.
• Training and Education: Continuous training ensures long-term sustainability.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Ongoing evaluation maintains the effectiveness of AMR strategies.

This phased approach ensures resource management and responsiveness to diverse district needs, aiming to develop a robust, community-driven policy framework for AMR management.

Monitoring and evaluating the project's success in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) involves a comprehensive strategy from baseline assessment to ongoing evaluation. Key indicators and metrics include:

1. Baseline Survey: Conducted before implementation, it establishes a reference point, assessing current animal treatment practices, prevalence of informal veterinary services, and knowledge about antibiotic use and AMR.
2. Community Engagement: Measured by community participation in meetings, training sessions, and overall project involvement.
3. Training of Community Children: Success is gauged by the number and effectiveness of children trained in veterinary practices.
4. Availability of Quality Drugs: Monitoring the consistent supply of quality drugs, prescribed by trained veterinarians, including supply chain tracking and prescription appropriateness.
5. Number of Trained Animal Health Workers: Quantitative success is measured by the number of workers actively involved in treating and vaccinating animals, and their proficiency.
6. Reduction in Unlicensed Veterinary Services: Measured through surveys and monitoring, a decrease in reliance on unlicensed practitioners indicates project impact.
7. Animal Morbidity and Mortality Rates: Changes in these rates pre and post-implementation reflect the effectiveness of interventions.
8. Awareness of Antibiotic Use: Increased awareness in responsible antibiotic usage and understanding of AMR among communities is crucial.
9. Reduction in Antibiotic Use: Progress in AMR combat is shown by reduced antibiotic usage, tracked through prescriptions and self-reported practices.

These indicators provide a comprehensive view of the project's impact, guiding continuous improvement for sustained success and scalability.

Addressing key challenges is essential for the successful implementation of the project to reduce Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The strategies include:

1. Financial Constraints for Drug Supply:
   • Collaborative Purchasing: Encourage cattle owners to pool resources for bulk drug purchases.
   • Seeking Financial Support: Explore funding from agricultural/health organizations, government subsidies, and NGO partnerships.
   • Negotiating with Manufacturers: Discuss flexible purchasing options or long-term contracts with drug manufacturers.
2. Limited Availability of Literate Children for Training:
   • Expanding Training Pool: Broaden trainee criteria to include young adults or enthusiastic community members.
   • Community Engagement: Collaborate with leaders and parents to identify and motivate training candidates.
   • Incentives for Participation: Offer stipends, certificates, or job prospects as training incentives.
3. Development of Slaughter Withdrawal Policies:
   • Policy Formulation: Develop policies with veterinary experts and public health officials.
   • Education and Enforcement: Educate cattle owners on policy importance and establish compliance monitoring.
4. Establishing a Veterinary Pharmacy:
   • Community Pharmacy Model: Propose a community-run pharmacy to meet consistent demand.
   • Business Planning: Create a business plan covering financials, supply chain, and logistics.
   • Government and NGO Support: Seek support for pharmacy sustainability and scalability.
5. Incorporating More Children in Training:
   • Scalable Training Modules: Ensure the training program is adaptable for expansion.
   • Community-Based Selection: Engage community leaders in selecting suitable trainees.
6. Collaboration for National Policy Development:
   • Engaging Stakeholders: Work with government, cattle owners, and health experts for comprehensive AMR policies.
   • Nationwide Workshops: Conduct workshops to involve all stakeholder voices.

Strategic planning, community engagement, and stakeholder collaboration are key to overcoming these challenges and creating a sustainable model for AMR reduction.

The Trinity Challenge grant application aims to address key issues in Sierra Leone's livestock sector, focusing on cattle rearers and owners. Key aspects of the application include:

1. Unprescribed Treatment of Animals: Addressing the widespread practice of treating animals without veterinary prescriptions, a major factor in antibiotic misuse and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
2. Neglect by Government Livestock Division: Filling the gap created by the lack of government support, where cattle owners rely on traditional methods, lacking modern animal healthcare practices.
3. Resistance to Change: The challenge of modifying traditional animal management practices among cattle owners, necessitating a sensitive and inclusive approach.
4. Animal Health Club Model: Implementing this community-driven initiative to directly involve cattle owners in decision-making about antibiotic use, fostering community ownership for sustainable success.
5. Promoting Peace, Unity, and Security: Involving the community to enhance not just animal health but also overall community well-being.
6. Ration Formulation and Disease Prevention: Minimizing the need for long-distance foraging, reducing disease transmission risks, and improving livestock nutrition.
7. Real-Time Disease Surveillance: Utilizing mobile technology for effective monitoring and management of animal health.
8. Laboratory Analysis: Scientific data collection through sample analysis to inform better health practices and disease control.
9. Grant Application Objective: Seeking financial support to improve animal health and management, contributing to public health and animal welfare.

This application outlines a comprehensive strategy for improving livestock management and combating AMR, with a focus on community engagement and innovative approaches

Seeking collaboration with well-resourced organizations is key to enhancing our project's capabilities, particularly in areas like AI, digital technology, and legal expertise. Here's a strategic plan:

1. Identifying Potential Partners:
   • Research the focus areas of organizations like Google, Microsoft, Infosys, and academic institutions such as Imperial College and Nanyang University Singapore to align with project goals.
2. Developing a Proposal:
   • Prepare a detailed proposal showcasing the project's impact and alignment with potential partners' objectives, highlighting team successes and specific support needs.
3. Networking and Outreach:
   • Utilize existing connections and platforms like LinkedIn, or attend industry events to build relationships.
   • Tailor communication to each organization, emphasizing mutual benefits.
4. Seeking Mentorship and Expertise:
   • Express the need for AI and digital technology mentors. Target organizations with CSR initiatives or programs offering technical support.
   • For legal support, approach law firms or corporate legal departments involved in pro bono work, focusing on international and environmental law.
5. Collaboration on Policy and By-Laws Development:
   • Engage legal teams from entities like DAC Beachcroft or academic legal departments for policy and by-laws development, ensuring compliance with regulations.
   • Gain insights into the regulatory landscape for informed policy formulation.
6. Leveraging Technology for Project Goals:
   • Collaborate with technology partners for expertise in AI and digital tools, enhancing data collection, analysis, and surveillance.

This approach aims to augment financial support, expertise, and technological advancement, driving the project’s success.