Community-Based Surveillance of Antimicrobial Usage in Livestock

Addressing  antibiotic misuse in cattle, a new initiative in the country will establish "Animal Health Clubs."  These clubs will train cattle owners' children, develop surveillance systems to track antibiotic usage, involve experienced veterinarians, and source quality medications.  Do not harm man, animals, and the environment by arbitrary use of antibiotics.

Professor Roland Suluku is an animal scientist, Rabies, and One Health expert. Head, Animal Science Department  Njala University. Thirty-one years working on Animal disease prevention and control and environmental sanitation, 

This innovation will address the problem of indiscriminate use of antimicrobials by cattle farmers in the country. All cattle owners in the country buy drugs (including antibiotics) from different sources without prescription to treat their animals and consult animal health care workers. Current antimicrobial resistance projects in the country do not collect data on cattle. The project team will work with cattle farmers to form a group called an animal health club. Members of this club will be trained to treat their livestock under the supervision of an experienced veterinarian who will obtain drugs from a reliable drug company. Apart from teaching them the proper use of drugs and observing drug withdrawal periods, a channel of reporting will be established for appropriate surveillance and monitoring of their activities. 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). Key features include:

1. Community Peace, Unity, and Security: It fosters 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.

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. . Key components include:

1. Community-Based Surveillance: Establishing a system for monitoring antibiotic use in livestock at the community level is 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.

The project’s implementation across twelve districts focuses on cattle rearing and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) management 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 assessed community-level engagement.
• 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: An AMR use and management policy 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.

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

1. Baseline Survey: Conducted before implementation to establish a reference point, assessing current animal treatment practices, the  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 the number of workers involved in treating and vaccinating animals and their proficiency.
6. Reduction in Unlicensed Veterinary Services: Measured through surveys and monitoring, decreasing 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 of 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 through prescriptions and self-reported practices.

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, and NGO partnerships.
   • Negotiating with Manufacturers: Discuss flexible purchasing with drug manufacturers long-term contracts.
2. Limited Availability of Literate Children for Training:
   • Expanding Training Pool: Broaden trainee criteria to include young adults and enthusiastic community members.
   • Community Engagement: Collaborate with leaders and parents to identify and motivate training candidates. Offer stipends and certificates as training incentives.
3. Development of Slaughter Withdrawal Policies:
   • Policy Formulation: Develop policies with veterinary experts and public health officials. Educate cattle owners on the importance of policy 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 through national workshops.

.

The grant application aims to address critical issues focusing on cattle rearers and owners, which include:

1. Unprescribed Treatment of Animals: Addressing the widespread practice of treating animals without veterinary prescriptions is 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 necessitates 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 animal health and 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 effectively monitoring and managing 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.

Collaboration with well-resourced organizations is critical to enhancing our project's capabilities, particularly  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 toalign with project goals.
2. Developing a Proposal:
   • 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.
   • 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 AI and digital tools expertise, enhancing data collection, analysis, and surveillance.