An NHS Highland team have developed a partnership with a hospital in Zambia.
The NHS Highland, research development and innovation (RD&I) team have been working with Chipata Central Hospital.
Clinicians from Zambia came to the Highlands in January 2024 to continue their joint work on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Members of NHS Highland department visited Zambia in November 2024. This included Michael MacKenzie, infectious diseases consultant, Laura McIlhatton, governance and finance manager, and Anne Mason, senior researcher who initiated this partnership 13 years ago.
This work will play a crucial role in tackling an issue with global significance, as estimates show over 1.25 million deaths across the world were caused in 2019 by antimicrobial resistance.
Dr Michael MacKenzie, an NHS Highland consultant in infectious diseases, said: “Antimicrobial resistance occurs when germs develop resistance to antibiotics. This results in difficulty treating infections and affects the care of people with different illnesses across the world. This is a challenge for us in Scotland, but it is even harder to manage in countries where resources are limited.
“We were delighted to welcome clinicians from Chipata to Inverness in January 2024, and to contribute to activities during in Zambia during World AMR Awareness Week.
“I was humbled to be asked to speak at an excellent conference hosted by Chipata Central Hospital to talk about AMR and underline why this type of collaboration is so important for communities in Zambia, Scotland and around the world.”
The work is funded through Global Health Partnerships, and led by NHS Highland’s RD&I team. It has enabled a hub and spoke model to be adopted, where clinicians at Chipata Central Hospital provide guidance and support to three district hospitals in Zambia.
Relationships have been developed with professionals from human, animal and environmental health as well as local communities through a ‘One Health’ approach.
Dr MacKenzie continued: “It is a privilege to be involved in this project, which has really encouraged bi-lateral learning. We live in different parts of the world, but the challenges we face with AMR are very similar and it is important to raise awareness of this serious threat to humans, animals and our environment.”