Mbabane – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy recently joined ICAP Eswatini and various stakeholders to review the outcomes of the Fleming Fund Country Grant Project in a close-out meeting. The session aimed to assess the project’s achievements, outcomes, and key lessons, while also discussing the future direction of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) initiatives in Eswatini.
Acting Principal Secretary of the Ministry, Sicelo Nxumalo, represented the Ministry at the meeting. A significant focus was placed on the project’s success in advancing AMR surveillance, particularly through a One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
Nxumalo highlighted the Ministry’s role in AMR surveillance, acknowledging the environmental impact on the spread and persistence of antimicrobial-resistant organisms. Participants stressed that factors such as water systems, waste management, and ecosystem dynamics play a critical role in the development and transmission of AMR beyond healthcare settings.
The Fleming Fund Grant facilitated significant investments, including the refurbishment of the Department of Water Affairs Water Laboratory and the provision of a Water Quality Surveillance Vehicle. These upgrades have enhanced the Ministry’s ability to monitor water sources and conduct AMR surveillance in Eswatini’s water bodies.
Nxumalo shared that incorporating environmental factors into the One Health framework has expanded the country’s understanding of AMR. He emphasized that cross-sector collaboration has enabled the nation to explore environmental pathways of resistance, extending surveillance beyond clinical environments.
Moving forward, Nxumalo called for continued cooperation between ministries and partners to ensure that environmental surveillance, regulation, and stewardship are integrated with national AMR strategies, protecting both public health and ecosystems.
He also expressed gratitude to the UK Government, the Fleming Fund, Mott MacDonald, ICAP, and other stakeholders for their contributions, urging partners to sustain the valuable relationships established during the project’s implementation.
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