One Health in Action: Combatting AMR through Data in Malawi

What “public good” does your solution provide?

Our solution provides significant public goods by addressing AMR in Malawi and globally. It enhances health and well-being by improving surveillance systems and healthcare practices. Through educational campaigns and community engagement, it empowers local communities to understand and combat AMR, promoting responsible antibiotic use. The solution actively contributes to global health security by participating in international collaboration efforts, sharing crucial information, best practices, and resources. Additionally, it enforces policies related to antibiotic prescriptions and supply chain management, preventing overuse and misuse. The emphasis on advanced data manipulation ensures informed, data-driven decision-making, and ultimately, the solution works to safeguard the effectiveness of antibiotics for current and future generations.

How will your solution create tangible impact, and for whom?

Our solution is poised to create tangible impact by improving health outcomes, empowering communities through education, preventing antibiotic misuse, fostering global collaboration, influencing policy and regulatory enforcement, and contributing to long-term health security. The beneficiaries span individuals in Malawi, local communities, and the global population grappling with the challenges ofAMR. Through comprehensive surveillance systems, advanced data manipulation, and community engagement, our solution seeks to directly address the root causes of AMR, ensuring responsible antibiotic use and preserving the efficacy of these crucial medications for the well-being of present and future generations.

How will you scale your impact over the next year and the next 3 years?

Over the next year, the plan is to expand the pilot project to additional communities within the Lilongwe district, intensify community outreach efforts, analyze and refine data collected during the pilot phase, strengthen stakeholder collaboration, and continuously optimize the technological components of the solution. In the next three years, the focus will shift to regional expansion, national integration into healthcare systems, capacity building for local healthcare providers, global collaboration, advocacy for responsible antibiotic use policies, continuous innovation, and robust monitoring and evaluation. This strategic roadmap aims to systematically scale the impact of the solution, addressing AMR challenges locally in Malawi and contributing to the global fight against AMR.

How are you measuring success against your impact goals?

Our plan for monitoring and evaluating impact is multi-faceted, encompassing specific, measurable indicators across various dimensions of our solution. Key indicators include the reduction in antibiotic-resistant infections, increased community awareness and engagement, adherence to responsible antibiotic use guidelines, effectiveness of policy enforcement, impact of global collaboration, technological optimization, geographical expansion, success in capacity building, advocacy influence on policies, adoption of innovation, and the establishment of a robust monitoring and evaluation system.

Performance from the pilot phase serves as a baseline for comparison against these indicators. Regular assessments, surveys, data analysis, and stakeholder feedback contribute to ongoing improvements and adaptations. This comprehensive approach ensures a holistic evaluation of our solution's progress and impact, fostering continuous enhancement and alignment with our overarching goals.

Examples 

1. Reduction in antibiotic-resistant infections:

   • Indicator: Decrease in reported cases of antibiotic-resistant infections.
   • Methodology: Compare pre-implementation infection rates with post-implementation rates, analyzing healthcare data.

2. Community awareness and engagement:

   • Indicator: Increase in community awareness and active engagement.
   • Methodology: Conduct pre- and post-implementation surveys, focus group discussions, and track community participation in health initiatives.

3. Geographical expansion:

   • Indicator: Increased coverage in additional communities and regions.
   • Methodology: Monitor the geographical expansion of the solution, assessing reach and impact in new areas.

In which countries do you currently operate?

• Malawi

In which countries do you plan to deploy your solution within the next 3 years?

• Malawi

What barriers currently exist for you to accomplish your goals in the next year and the next 3 years? How do you plan to overcome these barriers?

1. Limited resources:

   • Barrier: Insufficient funding and resources for expanding the pilot and outreach efforts.
   • Strategy: Seek additional funding through grants, partnerships, and fundraising initiatives. Optimize resource allocation through cost-effective strategies.

2. Limited healthcare infrastructure:

   • Barrier: Inadequate healthcare infrastructure in some target communities.
   • Strategy: Collaborate with local healthcare providers, leverage mobile health clinics, and advocate for infrastructure improvements through partnerships with relevant authorities.

Next 3 Years:

1. Scale-up complexity:

   • Barrier: Scaling up operations to a national level poses logistical and operational challenges.
   • Strategy: Develop a phased scaling plan, leverage technology for efficiency, and establish partnerships with organizations experienced in large-scale healthcare initiatives.

2. Resistance to policy changes:

   • Barrier: Resistance to policy changes related to antibiotic use and healthcare practices.
   • Strategy: Conduct targeted advocacy campaigns, engage with policymakers, and showcase the positive impact of policy changes through data and case studies.

3. Community sustainability:

   • Barrier: Ensuring the sustainability of community engagement initiatives over the long term.
   • Strategy: Empower local community leaders, integrate community members into decision-making processes, and develop programs that encourage self-sufficiency.

What type of organization is your solution team?

Why are you applying to The Trinity Challenge?

Our participation in The Trinity Challenge is motivated by the pressing global issue of AMR. Specifically focusing on Malawi, our solution faces barriers related to limited resources for scaling, the need for global collaboration, policy advocacy and implementation, technology and data integration, and community engagement and education. The Trinity Challenge can assist by providing financial support for scaling, fostering global collaboration, supporting policy advocacy efforts, offering technological resources, and sharing insights on effective community engagement strategies. The collaborative nature of The Trinity Challenge aligns with our vision of creating a comprehensive and globally connected approach to combat AMR.

What organization(s) would you like to collaborate with to initiate, accelerate, or scale your solution?

We seek collaboration with organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), The Global Fund, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, local and international NGOs, tech companies, and academic institutions. These collaborations will provide expertise in global health, technology, policy advocacy, and community engagement. The aim is to accelerate the impact of our solution by leveraging diverse perspectives, resources, and mentorship opportunities. The mentorship from The Trinity Challenge collaborators will further guide us in optimizing our approach and addressing challenges effectively.