Call for Proposals to Minimize and Contain Antimicrobial Resistance in Animal Production Sector

Introduction

Antimicrobials play an indispensable role in the treatment, prevention and control of a wide range of infectious diseases. And are a limited resource shared by humans for benefit of humans, animals, and plants. Overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in all sectors are major factors for the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) microorganisms.

In African AMR is a well-documented problem for big “3” i.e. TB, malaria, and HIV. In the animal production sector, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, quinolones and penicillins which are commonly used in farm animals as antibiotic growth promoters are also the ones with highest resistance rates. Between 2000 and 2018, the proportion of drugs to which bacteria have become resistant almost tripled in chickens and pigs, and doubled in cattle (Van Boeckel, et al.2019). Resistance has also been observed for streptomycin, tetracycline and triazole fungicide in crop production (FAO, 2018).

There is global recognition that AMR presents an urgent threat to health, security, and economic growth. The health and economic costs of AMR are significant and further compounded by a growing global population with rising food demands. Globally, drug resistance causes an estimated 700,000 human deaths each year, and, if current trends continue, AMR could result in over 10 million deaths per year and over 100 trillion USD in lost output globally by 2050. Economic analyses indicate that AMR control interventions, ultimately, save money, because of the return on investment from averting and curing infections.

In recognition of the threat of AMR and the need to take action, the 33rd Ordinary Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government held on 14th February 2020 endorsed the African Common Position on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and the African Union Framework for AMR control. The African Common Position on AMR calls on African Union Member States, regional economic communities and the African Union Commission to develop policies and programmes to improve monitoring, delay emergence, limit transmission, and mitigate harm from antimicrobial resistant organisms. The AU Framework for AMR control focuses on actions that AU Agencies will perform with close consultation with RECs and Member States and in partnership with WHO, FAO, OIE, other UN agencies, and all other implementing agencies to improve governance, build capacity, and enhance knowledge and awareness to enable the long term control of AMR.

Various AU Member States have developed their AMR National Action Plans (NAPs) and some are at the stage of implementation. In support of the implementation of the AU Framework for AMR control, AU-IBAR will contribute to implementation of AMR NAPs through targeted support for the animal production/animal health components.

Objective of the Call for Proposal

The objective of this “Call for Proposal” is to identify national activities on AMR that can be implemented from October to December 2020.

Scope of Work

The activity must focus on animal production/animal health aspect of AMR NAPs and should fall within one or more of the following thematic areas:

1. Improve surveillance of antimicrobial use and AMR microorganisms;
2. Delay emergence of AMR;
3. Limit transmission of AMR;
4. Mitigate harm among animals infected with AMR microorganisms.

Selection Criteria

Selection of applications will be based on the following criteria:

1. Relevance of the proposed activity to the country’s AMR NAP and the AU Framework for AMR control
2. Complementarity of proposed activities with already existing national programs/activities on AMR
3. Feasibility of implementation of the actions within the AU-IBAR support timeframe
4. Budget and cost effectiveness of the proposed activities
5. Endorsement by government

Annex I – Template for Submitting Application

Submission Deadline

Applications must be received by 3^rd october 2020. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

How to apply:

Submission of Proposals (applications)

Proposals should be submitted using the application template in Annex I. Applications which are in different format will be rejected. Applications including all necessary documents (including the national action plan on AMR) should be submitted to the address below:

The Director
African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources
Kenindia Business Park, Museum Hill, Westlands Road
P.O. Box 30786 00100,
Nairobi, Kenya

Soft copies of applications should be sent to procurement@au-ibar.org with copies to khalid.seid@au-ibar.org. Applications sent by any other means (e.g. by fax or normal/registered mail) or delivered to other addresses will be rejected. The application must bear the reference number and the title “Call for Proposals to Minimize and Contain Antimicrobial Resistance in Animal Production Sector”,