Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini has demonstrated that strong cross-sector collaboration, evidence-based decision-making and consistent leadership can deliver sustainable progress in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Speaking at the close-out meeting of the Eswatini Fleming Fund Grant Project held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane on Friday, December 19, 2025, Dr Shepard Macheigera, representing WHO Country Representative Dr Susan Tembo, said the completion of Phase II marked not merely the end of a project, but a critical transition towards sustained national capacity.
“Eswatini has shown that when sectors work together, when evidence is valued, and when leadership is steady, progress becomes possible – and sustainable,” Dr Macheigera said. “The foundations strengthened through this grant can now serve as a platform for the next stage: deeper institutionalisation, stronger accountability, and smarter action that protects the medicines we depend on.”
He noted that support from the Fleming Fund had significantly strengthened AMR surveillance systems while advancing the One Health approach, which brings together the human health, animal health and environmental sectors under a shared national agenda. This integrated model, he said, is essential for addressing AMR, which cuts across multiple disciplines and systems.
Dr Macheigera expressed appreciation to the Government of the United Kingdom and the Fleming Fund for their strategic investment in Eswatini’s health security. He also commended ICAP for its implementation leadership and the Government of Eswatini for demonstrating strong ownership and stewardship across sectors.
He further highlighted that the project aligns with WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work for 2025 to 2028, which prioritises protecting health and well-being for all. It also supports the WHO Africa Regional Office Transformation Agenda, which places emphasis on accountability, measurable results and effective partnerships.
“AMR sits at the centre of these priorities,” Dr Macheigera said. “Without effective antimicrobials, routine medical care becomes risky, health-care costs rise, and the most vulnerable communities pay the highest price.”
Looking ahead, he outlined three key priorities for Eswatini as it builds on the gains achieved. These include institutionalising accountability by fully operationalising national AMR instruments, ensuring that surveillance data is translated into actionable information to inform policy and clinical decision-making, and safeguarding One Health collaboration through practical implementation rather than policy alone.
“The true measure of success is not this close-out meeting,” Dr Macheigera emphasised, “but what happens after – when systems continue to function, data continues to guide decisions, and partnerships continue to translate into better care for all EmaSwati.”
He reaffirmed WHO’s continued commitment to supporting Eswatini, noting that sustained technical assistance and collaboration would be critical to ensuring that the progress made becomes a lasting national asset.
WHO, he said, remains dedicated to working with national partners to strengthen health systems, protect the effectiveness of life-saving medicines and contribute to a safer, healthier and more resilient Eswatini for future generations.
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