AMRwatch Africa

AMRWatch Africa is tackling the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance via one health approach. We're establishing a surveillance database that integrates data collection, advanced genomics, bioinformatics tools, interactive dashboards, and predictive/diagnostic models. 

This comprehensive framework informs interventions, predicts AMR likelihood, guides treatment decisions, and safeguards public health across the continent.

Oluwaseyi Olawale, CEO and Founder of Gen'Omics Research Hub is a pioneering bio-entrepreneur with 5+ years of dynamic experience as a Bioinformatician and Microbiologist leading innovative research and development projects.

AMR poses a grave threat globally, with Africa particularly vulnerable due to limited access to whole genome sequencing and insufficient genomics data.

In Nigeria as of 2019, 64,500 deaths were attributed to AMR, with 263,400 associated deaths. Globally, reported deaths due to AMR totaled 1.27 million, with nearly 5 million associated fatalities. In the WHO African region, AMR-related deaths exceeded those from HIV/AIDS and malaria combined, with over 25% of infection-related deaths attributable to AMR, totaling 3.83 million. If this trajectory persists unchecked, projections estimate 10 million annual deaths and over 100 trillion USD in global lost output by 2050.

The causes of AMR include antibiotic overuse, poor infection control, limited access to diagnostics and treatments, and lack of an effective surveillance system. Resource constraints, infrastructure limitations, and problems in community-level data collection, like limited infrastructure, diagnostic capacity, and high costs of sequencing technologies hinder AMR surveillance.

AMRWatch Africa aims to enhance surveillance, understand transmission dynamics, and guide evidence-based interventions. We seek to mitigate AMR's impact and safeguard public health by empowering local stakeholders with real-time data and insights.

AMRWatch Africa serves a diverse range of stakeholders across the African continent who are impacted by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This includes scientists, healthcare professionals, policymakers, government agencies, agricultural firms, community leaders, and citizens.

We aim to address their critical needs in combating AMR by providing cost-effective genomic sequencing and open access to our comprehensive surveillance database that integrates data collection, advanced genomics, bioinformatics tools, interactive dashboards, predictive/diagnostic models and customized mobile tools that collect crucial metadata, seamlessly connected into the surveillance database, to deliver real-time AMR trend reports to stakeholders in the one health sector empowering them to understand the dynamics of AMR, identify emerging resistance patterns, and inform targeted interventions.

To understand the needs of our target audience, we aim to prioritize capacity building and collaborative efforts to empower them with the knowledge and tools needed to combat AMR effectively. Through workshops, webinars, and partnership meetings, stakeholders would be engaged to gather insights, and co-design solutions tailored to their specific requirements. This collaborative approach ensures that our tools and platforms are user-friendly, accessible, and aligned with the diverse needs and capacities of stakeholders.

AMRwatch Africa aims to produce accessible and beneficial outcomes for global well-being. We plan to develop an open-access dashboard that consolidates real-time data on AMR prevalence, antibiotic usage, and resistance patterns across regions. This dashboard will serve as a comprehensive resource for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers worldwide.

In addition to the dashboard, we commit to publishing peer-reviewed papers and white papers that summarize our findings, methodologies, and insights derived from the dataset. These publications will be freely accessible to the public, promoting transparency and knowledge dissemination.

Furthermore, we will make our dataset openly available for analysis and research purposes, fostering collaboration and innovation in the fight against AMR. By adhering to fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms, we ensure equitable access to valuable resources for all stakeholders.

AMRwatch Africa anticipates creating a tangible impact by empowering healthcare systems, policymakers, and communities to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) effectively.

Our solution aims to provide real-time insights into AMR trends, enabling early detection of resistance patterns and informed decision-making in antibiotic usage. By leveraging predictive and diagnostic models, healthcare providers can optimize treatment regimens, reduce antibiotic misuse, and improve patient outcomes.

Additionally, the interactive data dashboards and mobile software facilitate knowledge dissemination and stakeholder engagement, fostering collaborative efforts to address AMR at local, national, and regional levels.

Through strategic partnerships and community engagement initiatives, AMRwatch Africa seeks to raise awareness, build capacity, and promote best practices in AMR surveillance and control. Ultimately, our solution endeavors to safeguard public health, enhance healthcare delivery, and mitigate the adverse effects of antimicrobial resistance on vulnerable populations across Africa and beyond.

Over the next year and subsequent three years, our strategy for scaling impact is methodically structured and forward-thinking. To achieve transformative societal outcomes, we will orchestrate a synchronized effort across three pivotal fronts.

Firstly, strategic partnerships will form the bedrock of our expansion. Through targeted collaboration with leading entities spanning healthcare, academia, industry, and government, we will forge synergies that increase our influence and broaden our reach.

Technological augmentation stands as our second pillar. In the next three years, our focus will be on enhancing the technological infrastructure to support larger volumes of data and broader geographic coverage. By investing in cutting-edge advancements, such as advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms, we will bolster our capacity for real-time data collection, analysis, and dissemination. This will empower stakeholders with deeper insights into evolving antimicrobial resistance patterns.

Lastly, understanding the importance of community engagement, our approach encompasses tailored educational initiatives, immersive workshops, and strategic utilization of digital platforms to mobilize collective action toward antimicrobial stewardship.

Through thorough planning, iterative evaluation, and adaptive refinement, we are ready to realize exponential growth in our impact against antimicrobial resistance. This strategic roadmap ensures that our efforts resonate meaningfully and foster healthier communities.

Considering the transition of AMRwatch Africa from a prototype to a full-fledged solution, we will employ a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework to measure success against our impact goals. The key indicators include:

User Engagement: Tracking the number of users accessing the platform, frequency of usage, and duration of sessions to assess engagement levels.

Data Utilization: Monitoring the extent to which stakeholders utilize the platform for accessing data on antimicrobial resistance patterns and trends. We will track metrics such as data downloads, queries performed, and types of analyses conducted.

Stakeholder Feedback: Conducting surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gather qualitative feedback on the platform's usability, relevance, and impact on decision-making processes. This feedback will inform iterative improvements and enhancements.

Collaborative Research: Measuring the number of collaborative research initiatives facilitated by the platform and assessing the impact of research outcomes on policy formulation and clinical practice.

By regularly monitoring these indicators and analyzing trends, we will evaluate the effectiveness of our solution in addressing the challenge of antimicrobial resistance and advancing public health outcomes.

We anticipate several barriers over the next year and the following three years.

Securing adequate funding for infrastructure development, equipment procurement, and operational costs may be challenging. We plan to seek grants, partnerships, and sponsorships to address financial constraints.

Ensuring a skilled workforce to operate and maintain laboratory equipment, analyze genomic data, and develop predictive models is essential. We will invest in training programs, collaborations with academic institutions, and recruitment strategies to build and retain a competent team.

Compliance with regulatory requirements and navigating complex legal and policy landscapes in various African countries may pose hurdles. We aim to engage with local authorities, stakeholders, and legal experts to ensure alignment with regulations and establish supportive policy environments.

 Additionally, establishing satellite labs and maintaining connectivity across remote regions could encounter infrastructure limitations. Leveraging partnerships with existing healthcare facilities, telecommunications companies, and infrastructure development initiatives will help address connectivity and logistical challenges.

Through strategic planning, resource allocation, and collaboration, AMRwatch Africa aims to overcome these barriers effectively.

We are applying to The Trinity Challenge because it presents a unique opportunity to tackle the intricate issues of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) comprehensively. Our project addresses barriers like limited access to advanced sequencing technology, insufficient data management infrastructure, and the need for broader stakeholder engagement across Africa.

This Challenge's funding and resources can significantly alleviate these obstacles. With financial support, we can establish satellite labs, enhance data management systems, and foster collaborations with diverse stakeholders effectively. This aligns with our operational model, focusing on key components like Data Collection and Infrastructure, Surveillance Database, Automated Genomics and Bioinformatics Pipeline Tools, Interactive Dashboards, Predictive and Diagnostic Models, and Community Engagement via Strategic Partnership and Collaborations.

The Trinity Challenge's extensive network and expertise offer invaluable opportunities for scaling our solution, accessing cutting-edge technologies, and amplifying our impact. By participating in The Trinity Challenge, we aim to leverage its global platform to accelerate progress in combating AMR, safeguarding public health, and fostering sustainable development across Africa and beyond.

We aim to collaborate with a diverse range of organizations to scale our solution against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Specifically, we seek partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, government agencies, healthcare facilities, and non-profit organizations across Africa and globally. These collaborations will facilitate knowledge sharing, access to resources, and validation of our methodologies and findings.

Partnering with government agencies and healthcare facilities can enhance data collection efforts, streamline regulatory processes, and promote the adoption of our solution in clinical settings. Non-profit organizations and advocacy groups can help raise awareness, mobilize resources, and advocate for policy changes to address AMR effectively.

Some of the organizations we seek to partner with include:

World Health Organization (WHO)

Africa CDC

Wellcome Sanger Institute

Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership (GARP)

These collaborations will underpin our commitment to the One-Health framework, enabling us to leverage diverse expertise, resources, and perspectives in our collective fight against antimicrobial resistance. It will also help us in creating sustainable solutions that safeguard human, animal, and environmental health across interconnected ecosystems.