Ducit Blue Foundation is excited to share the exciting news of the launch of the 3rd Cohort of our transformative One Health Pan African AMR Internship/Mentorship Program. This aligns with our continuous dedication to addressing the global challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), by fostering the development of the next generation of leaders in this vital field.
Background
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a natural process resulting from genetic alterations in pathogens over time. However, human activities, such as the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in the treatment, prevention, or management of illnesses in humans, animals, and plants, the use of antimicrobials as growth promoters in farm animals, improper disposal of antimicrobials and chemicals into the environment, and inadequate hygiene and sanitation, expedite the emergence and spread of AMR¹. Numerous studies emphasize AMR as a significant public health threat due to its escalating mortality and economic impact on countries². In 2019, bacterial AMR led to over 4.95 million deaths³, and projections suggest it could cause more than 10 million deaths annually by 2050⁴.
Sub-Saharan Africa is anticipated to bear the greatest impact of AMR. The latest global report on AMR by The Lancet indicates that western sub-Saharan Africa has the highest all-age death rate attributable to resistance, at 27·3 deaths per 100,000³. Research indicates that by 2030, AMR might contribute to a 1.1% decline in the Global Domestic Product (GDP) and exceed $1 trillion in annual revenue loss⁵. By 2050, AMR is estimated to result in economic production losses ranging from 60 to 100 trillion US dollars, causing a 2% to 3.5% decline in the world’s GDP⁶. This scenario would lead to profound and widespread suffering, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). If AMR is not controlled, it is estimated that 4.1 million people in Africa may succumb to it by 2050⁷, exacerbating the economic turmoil.
Gaps in Education and Training on AMR
Despite the soaring trend of AMR in our region, the undergraduate curricula scarcely equip students with sufficient knowledge to tackle AMR. A study in Malawi identified gaps in knowledge about antimicrobial use and AMR among Medical Students⁸. This is similar to the findings among health students in Zambia which reports low level of training and confidence regarding antimicrobial prescribing practices and resistance⁹. Similarly, multiple gaps and discrepancies have been identified in AMR and One-Health education among health students globally¹⁰. These training gaps necessitates the need of a mentorship program to equip these young health professionals with knowledge and skills to fully combat AMR in their respective fields. An initiative which we have fervently championed for African youths.
Our One Health Pan- African AMR Program
Our One Health Pan African AMR Internship/Mentorship Program is part of our Youth Against Antimicrobial Misuse (YAAM) programme, which is integral to our youth empowerment strategy, focusing on secondary school students, undergraduates, and young professionals. Its goal is to equip these stakeholders with knowledge and tools to combat AMR through the Know, Stop, and Save the Future framework. This initiative includes our Pan African One Health AMR Internship and Mentorship Program, aimed at nurturing a new generation of African youth leaders to address the challenges of AMR in the region.
The inaugural cohort kick started in 2020, in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, and comprised 10 Pan-African Undergraduate Pharmacy students executed in collaboration with the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF-AFRO).
In 2021, a distinctive shift occurred as we broadened the program to encompass a more diverse group of students within the One Health domain. This extension included students from disciplines such as Pharmacy, Human Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture, and Microbiology.
Cohort 3 Programme Highlights
This third Cohort is focused on recent One Health graduates, and further addresses critical gaps in succession planning for African youth, who represent the future leaders in public health. By fostering a One Health approach, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, we aim to create a cohort of well-rounded individuals ready to tackle the complexities of AMR and beyond for addressing Africa’s One Health challenges.
These newly graduated youths are vital to our healthcare system, their preparation for the future is hindered by deficits in their school curriculum. The program aims to immerse youth in the realm of AMR prevention and control strategies, fostering innovative solutions to the highlighted challenges.
Our focus goes beyond the classroom, creating a collaborative atmosphere that nurtures One Health interprofessionalism and multidisciplinary teamwork.
Within this framework, interns will be grounded in several crucial components, including advocacy, information cascading, research, data analysis, review of national action plans, development of a capstone project using project management methodologies, career and leadership skills, and numerous other activities, including a strong mentorship component. Moreover, it is noteworthy that the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), One Health Lessons (OHL), and DataLead Africa have joined as program partners, with support from student associations like the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF), African Public Health Students Network Initiative (APHSN), and Federation of African Medical Students’ Association (FAMSA).
Application and Selection
The call for applications for the 3rd cohort, opened on September 27th until October 15th, 2023, drawing applications across the continent. Our internal team meticulously evaluated each submission using our merit based selection criteria, scrutinizing candidates for their unique skills and potential contributions. This was complemented by our external reviewers, adding an additional layer of scrutiny. The selected interns were then informed and embarked on a transformative internship/mentorship journey. The third cohort was launched on the 30th of October, 2023, and expected to last for 16 weeks.
Meet the Mentees/Interns
This year’s cohort of One Health interns are 20 young professionals—selected from the pool of entries—with various backgrounds in One Health and from 5 distinct One Health Professional streams of Pharmacy, Human Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Public Health and Environmental Sciences.
Fig 1. Distribution of Interns across the Continent
Fig 2. Gender Distribution of the Interns
Fig 3. DBF One Health Pan African Interns
Meet the Mentors
Our mentors consist of 20 meticulously chosen experts who have left an indelible mark in the one health space in Africa. Spanning across 10 African countries—Nigeria, Botswana, Benin Republic, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, South Africa, Egypt, Sierra Leone, and Ethiopia. Their commitment extends beyond conventional mentorship and AMR strategies; they are devoted to not only sharing their profound knowledge but actively guiding and nurturing the career growth and development of our interns. These seasoned professionals collectively represent a beacon of inspiration, steering the interns towards excellence and leadership in the dynamic African landscape and beyond.
Fig 4. DBF One Health Pan African Mentors
What to Expect
Cutting-Edge Curriculum: Our program offers a dynamic curriculum developed by industry experts, covering the latest advancements, strategies, and research in the fight against AMR.
Hands-On Experience: Participants will have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios, gaining practical skills crucial for addressing AMR challenges.
Mentorship: Each participant will be paired with a seasoned mentor, providing personalised guidance and insight into the complexities of AMR and beyond.
Networking Opportunities: Building a strong Multidisciplinary professional network is essential. Our program facilitates connections with like-minded individuals, experts, and organizations dedicated to AMR across Africa.
Our Interns Lending their Voices for Creating Awareness for World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW 2023)
During World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) from November 18th to 24th, our interns actively engaged in innovative solutions to address AMR challenges across Africa. They broke language barriers by creating videos that translated AMR messages into their local dialects, alongside an educational video promoting responsible antimicrobial use. Additionally, they crowdsourced words in their local dialects to enhance rural understanding of AMR.
Fig 5: DBF Interns’ WAAW Activities
Fig 6: DBF Interns’ WAAW Activities
Our interns also showcased their talents, using creative arts such as drawing, dancing, and poetry to effectively communicate AMR messages. They actively participated in the X session organised by the Standing Committee on Public Health—Nigerian Medical Students’ Association (SCOPH—NiMSA) on Twitter, receiving training and capacity building to strengthen their advocacy against AMR.
Participation extended to the African Youth AMR Forum 1.0, a three-day webinar where we partnered with the organisers; IPSF Afro Region, Federation of African Medical Students’ Association (FAMSA), and others, where our interns contributed to raising awareness about AMR among youth. Representatives, Hafeez Hamza (Kenya) and Esther Zachariya (Nigeria), shared their internship experiences, sparking interest among many African youths to join upcoming cohorts of our program.
Throughout WAAW, our interns played a vocal role on social media, leveraging our AMR graphics translated into English, French, and Swahili. They are prominently featured in our AMR animation video, urging the public to take strategic actions against practices promoting antimicrobial resistance. These activities garnered thousands of engagements across our social media platforms, underscoring the significance of youth engagement in disseminating AMR messages.
Life After Internship: Testimonials and Success Stories from Cohort 1 and 2
The steadfast dedication of our program team is fueled by the remarkable development of our past interns into impactful individuals. Their noteworthy achievements act as a potent catalyst for our ambitions to expand the programme, even beyond AMR. Their progress is credited to meaningful deliverables and guidance provided by a diverse range of experts and mentors throughout the program. A post-internship survey conducted to evaluate the program’s impact on former interns underscores their remarkable growth after completing the program.
Fig. 7. Feedback Testimonials from our Former Interns
These stories reflect on hard work and resilience, and nothing gives us more joy than being a part of their journey.
Fig. 8. Feedback Testimonials from our Former Interns
Witnessing the exceptional achievements of our past interns as they thrive in their roles and contribute to innovative solutions addressing AMR and other public health crises is undeniably gratifying. In a recent milestone, two former interns secured full scholarships to pursue master’s degrees in Antimicrobial Resistance and Public Health at the University of Sheffield and the University of Washington. These success stories extend to research and innovation, integral components of our program curriculum. Interns have earned conference scholarships, presented papers, achieved top finalist positions in a global innovation competition on AMR, and received grants, among other notable accomplishments. Their ongoing growth serves as a source of inspiration, providing a hopeful glimpse into the future success of the program.
Conclusion
AMR is a critical public health challenge that demands a comprehensive strategy to combat it. The journey of our One Health Pan African AMR Internship/Mentorship Program has been marked by dedication, growth, and impactful contributions. The commitment of our program team and the transformative experiences of our interns underscore the program’s effectiveness in nurturing a new generation of leaders in the fight against AMR. The pivotal role of the One Health youth, as future prescribers, dispensers, and users of antimicrobials in Africa, cannot be overstated.
As we reflect on the accomplishments achieved, the success stories of our former interns, not only showcases the potential of our program but also highlight the significance of youth engagement in addressing public health challenges. The commitment of our interns to breaking language barriers, promoting responsible antimicrobial use, and advocating against AMR during World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week and Beyond WAAW, further emphasizes the program’s influence in fostering a sense of responsibility among the youth.
Looking ahead, we remain steadfast in our mission to empower and equip the next generation with the knowledge and tools needed to combat AMR, including a Pan African curriculum review. Encouragingly, our efforts have already resulted in numerous success stories, motivating us to intensify our commitment and provide a hopeful outlook for the future of global health, with these empowered individuals at its forefront.
Get Involved
We invite you to join us in supporting our One Health Pan African AMR Internship/Mentorship Program. This support can be through mentorship, sponsorship, or spreading awareness, your involvement contributes to building a sustainable future in the fight against AMR.
To learn more about how you can get involved, please visit our https://www.ducitblue.com/ or contact us directly at info@ducitblue.com.
We appreciate your integral role in our mission to nurture tomorrow’s leaders in the ongoing battle against Antimicrobial Resistance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Great New Year Ahead
Estelle Mbadiwe
Founding Partner
Ducit Blue Foundation
