Landmark MOU Signed to Advance AMR Surveillance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

A significant step was taken today in the fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar and the DAI Fleming Fund Country Grant Pakistan. This collaboration marks a pivotal advancement in the province's public health efforts.

The MOU is dedicated to enhancing AMR surveillance capacities, crucial for effectively managing and mitigating AMR's impact in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It emphasizes capacity building within KMU, providing substantial support in laboratory training for antimicrobial stewardship and the establishment and maintenance of a biorepository/biobank, complete with necessary technical assistance and IT software management solutions. This comprehensive support aims to bolster KMU’s capabilities in addressing AMR comprehensively and effectively.

Prof. Dr. Zia ul Haq, Vice Chancellor of KMU, and Prof. Dr. Yasar Mehmood Yousafzai, Director of the Public Health Reference Laboratory at KMU, represented the institution at the signing ceremony. The Fleming Fund Country Grant was represented by Dr. Fayaz Ahmad, Technical Advisor, and Ghulam Farooq Khan, Provincial Lead of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The MOU underscores a shared commitment between the parties to bolster the One Health approach to AMR, which integrates efforts across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. This collaboration is expected to yield significant public health benefits, enhancing both local and national capacities to respond to AMR challenges.

Officials from both KMU and FFCG attended the signing ceremony, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of this initiative. The partnership is set to advance the implementation of the One Health Agenda significantly, promoting a coordinated response to AMR in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.