Reflections on Sudan's first National Antimicrobial Resistance Symposium
Posted on January 24, 2025 by Microbiology Society
To mark World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024, the Society asked its Champions to submit their ideas for activities to promote WAAW, alongside our Knocking Out AMR project, in their local communities. There was a huge response, which resulted in a variety of outreach events, resource development and webinars taking place all over the world. In this series of blogs, we catch-up with some of the Champions who got involved. Below you can find out how Champion, Sara Albagir Abdalla Mohammed (University of Khartoum, Sudan), took on this challenge by hosting a webinar.
Microbes fascinate me. They are small but powerful. Some are helpful, while others cause harm.
AMR is one of our greatest threats. It claims lives, complicates treatments and undoes decades of progress in healthcare. Yet, AMR receives little attention, particularly in low-resource settings like Sudan, where its impact is amplified by limited infrastructure.
To help combat this silent crisis, I organised Sudan's first National Antimicrobial Resistance Symposium in 2024. The symposium aimed to amplify awareness and inspire action against AMR.
A unified vision
From 22 to 24 November 2024, the symposium brought together diverse voices. Its goals included raising awareness, promoting interdisciplinary strategies and showcasing innovative tools for tackling AMR. I designed a programme centered on solutions, and with the support of two exceptional colleagues, Fayhaa Osama and Mohyialdeen Adam, we brought this vision to life.
The event was hosted through MicroGen, an initiative I founded to empower early career microbiologists. MicroGen provided a robust platform for the symposium's success. Its community spans over 50 Sudanese universities and institutions, encompassing more than 5,000 members. Internationally, it connects participants from over 30 countries. Overcoming Sudan’s connectivity challenges, we relied on Telegram to ensure inclusivity. This approach allowed participants from remote and war-affected areas to join, making the symposium accessible to all.
Who participated?
The event attracted 317 participants from 21 countries, including Sudan, Nigeria, Egypt, India and Pakistan. Sudanese attendees formed the majority, with 258 participants representing students, researchers, healthcare professionals and policymakers from over 30 Sudanese institutions.
This diverse group enriched the discussions. Attendees shared experiences, highlighted regional challenges and proposed tailored solutions. Many emphasised the urgent need to improve infection control in hospitals, where resource limitations often allow resistant bacteria to spread unchecked.
What was discussed?
The programme included five key sessions, each designed to address pressing AMR issues:
- Global and Local AMR Landscape
Experts discussed AMR’s burden globally and in Sudan, focusing on its medical and economic impacts. Participants explored disparities in antibiotic resistance rates, with some regions reporting rates as high as 90% for certain pathogens, compared to much lower rates elsewhere. - Understanding Resistance and Stewardship
This session delved into how microbes resist antibiotics and why stewardship is crucial to slowing resistance. Speakers highlighted how insufficient data on resistance patterns often leads to suboptimal prescribing practices. - The One Health Approach to AMR
This session underscored the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. Real-world examples illustrated how cross-disciplinary collaboration can strengthen infection control. - AMR Surveillance and Machine Learning
Participants learned how machine learning predicts resistance trends and improves surveillance in settings with limited diagnostic capabilities. - Bioinformatics in AMR Research
This session demonstrated how bioinformatics tracks resistance genes and analyses data. Participants explored ways to apply these tools to enhance local research.
Dynamic Q&A sessions followed each presentation, fostering collaboration and enabling participants to apply ideas to their contexts.
Impact and tangible outcomes addressing research gaps
The symposium wasn’t just about dialogue; it was a call to action. Feedback revealed that 84.5% of participants were motivated to take concrete steps after the event. These included pursuing AMR-related research topics, advocating for responsible antibiotic use and integrating AMR education into academic curricula.
A pressing issue highlighted was the scarcity of AMR research in Sudan. This gap often leaves healthcare providers without data to understand resistance patterns, leading to inappropriate antibiotic use. To address this, the event focused on actionable solutions.
The Bioinformatics in AMR Research session introduced tools for analysing genetic data to track resistance genes. It demonstrated how these tools, even in resource-limited contexts, can help generate valuable insights for healthcare providers. Participants explored free bioinformatics platforms and learned practical steps to initiate local research projects.
The AMR Surveillance and Machine Learning session showcased how machine learning predicts resistance trends using limited data. It offered practical applications to identify treatment priorities in regions without advanced diagnostics. These insights empowered participants to design research strategies tailored to their settings.
Participants left inspired, with many expressing research interests in bacteriophage therapy, rapid diagnostics and bioinformatics for resistance surveillance. Others committed to raising AMR awareness in their local communities. This collective commitment highlighted the event’s success in bridging gaps, equipping attendees with knowledge and sparking research initiatives.
The event also introduced participants to the Microbiology Society, underscoring the importance of being part of international microbiology communities to stay connected, foster collaborations and advance professional growth. As a result, 38.8% of attendees joined the Society as members, while 52.4% expressed an interest in joining.
Innovative tools for combating AMR
The symposium highlighted the transformative role of technology in combating AMR, focusing on genomic surveillance, artificial intelligence (AI) and nanotechnology.
Participants recognised how genomic surveillance tracks resistance genes and their spread, offering actionable insights into resistance patterns. Many saw its potential for guiding local research in resource-limited settings. AI-driven diagnostics, delivering rapid and accurate pathogen detection, resonated with attendees aiming to improve diagnostic efficiency and treatment precision. Nanotechnology, through targeted drug delivery and antimicrobial materials, intrigued participants seeking innovative solutions to resistant pathogens.
These tools inspired attendees to explore their application, equipping them with practical strategies to enhance AMR research and management in their contexts.
The One Health approach in action
A recurring theme throughout the symposium was the One Health approach, which connects human, animal and environmental health. Participants explored how to apply it in Sudan, from improving hospital infection control to promoting antibiotic stewardship in agriculture. The programme encouraged attendees to think beyond their fields and consider holistic solutions to AMR.
Reflections and looking ahead
Leading this symposium was a milestone for me. As a microbiologist and science communicator, AMR advocacy lies at the heart of my work. The challenges of coordinating across time zones, managing technical issues and navigating Sudan’s connectivity problems were significant. Yet, the enthusiasm and engagement of participants made every effort worthwhile.
This event wasn’t just about exchanging ideas; it was about creating impact. Attendees left equipped with actionable insights, ready to advance the fight against AMR in their fields. Their work promises to create ripple effects across disciplines and borders.
The fight against AMR continues and every step counts. Success depends on unity and a clear commitment to solutions. Together, we can knock out AMR—one milestone at a time.
All of the blogs in this series are listed together via our WAAW 2024 blog listings and you can also find out more about the Society's AMR work via our Knocking Our AMR webpages.