G-Sparc 2024 concludes in Hyderabad

The three-day Global South Conference on Infection Prevention, Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship (G-SPARC)-2024 was attended by 2000 delegates and concluded on October 5, 2024. The objective of the conference was to provide a platform for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and Patient Safety stakeholders from Global South. 

GVS Murthy, President, PRASHO; R Govind Hari, Chairman, PRASHO and  Co-Chair, G-SPARC 2024 gave the welcome address. Dr Ranga Reddy Burri, Chairman, G-Sparc; Dr Raghu N Reddy, Co-Chair, G-Sparc and Continental Hospitals; Dr Shamanna, Professor, University of Hyderabad; B J Rao, Vice Chancellor, University of Hyderabad; Gareth Wynn Owen, Deputy High Commissioner, UK Consulate, Hyderabad and Nkwan Jacob Gobte, Honorary Secretary, ICAN graced the closing function.

The organisers unveiled the G-SPARC 2024, Hyderabad Declaration, two White papers on AMR and State Action Plans for containment in India and Oral Health and AMR Declaration. It presented 21 recommendations in its Hyderabad Declaration. The following are a few highlights of the 21 recommendations. 

The declaration said AMR is a manmade disaster and has to be fought by concerted action. Countries must institute effective and efficient surveillance and monitoring mechanisms. Strong collaborations must be forged between Global South countries. The countries must support each other and stop the emergence of AMR and newer strains. 

All countries in the global south must articulate strategies and action plans to combat AMR. The high-income countries in the world should allocate a healthy proportion of their GDP to help Global South countries fight AMR. To see that at least 60 per cent of countries have funded national action plans on AMR by 2030.

The Global Anti-Microbial Resistance Multi-Partner Trust Fund mooted by the UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) should prioritise countries of the Global South.

UNGA should target that at least 70 per cent of Antibiotics used for Human Health globally should belong to the WHO Access Group Antibiotics with relatively minimal side effects and potential to cause AMR.

• The One Health approach should be the cornerstone of all AMR activities.
• Adequate funding should be earmarked for awareness campaigns
• It strongly recommended that across the Global South, no Antibiotics including topical preparations should be dispensed without a qualified health practitioner’s prescription
• G-Sparc calls for India’s remaining states and union territories to develop and implement state-level Action Plans by 2026.
• Every health facility must have an Infection, Prevention, Control and AMR committee
• Community engagements are critical in reducing AMR and improving IPC practices.

During the closing ceremony, three MoUs were signed and exchanged.

The first MoU was signed and exchanged between PRASHO and Oxford Brookes to Design and  Offer Academic Programs to improve public health capacity including in WASH, IPC and AMS. The MoU was exchanged between Dr Sarah Howcutt, Lead of Public Health and R Govind Hari, Chairman, PRASHO.

The second MoU was between SCIINV from Telangana, India and Microbira UK. Two prominent startups who are building digital tools for improving AMR diagnostic capacity to form a Joint Venture to jointly invest and further develop tools for containment of AMR. D Marianne Ismail of Microbira, Dr Ratnakar, Dr Pradeep and Krishna Burri from SCIINV participated and exchanged the MoU.

Lastly, an MoU was signed between ICAN and IFCAI, for a deeper collaboration for improving policy and practices of IPC and AMS in Global South. Chedli Azouzz and Ranga Reddy Burri exchanged the MoU.

Awards were presented to five leaders in AMR and IPC, and Three hospitals for best practices in AMR. They include Purva Mathur, AIIMS Delhi; Chedili Azzouz, Chairman, ICAN; Dr Anuj Sharma, WHO India Country Office; K K Shailaja, former Health Minister, Kerala. Dr Annie Thakore received the award on her behalf. The other recipients were Shaheen Mehtar – South Africa, and Nkwan Jacob Gobte, Honorary Secretary, ICAN received on her behalf.

Awards for excellence in the IPC and AMS Hospitals category were presented to AIIMS, Delhi, Dr Purva Mathur received the award; Continental Hospitals, Dr Guru N Reddy received the award and Pranaam Hospitals, Dr Maneesh Gour received it on behalf of the hospital.

G-Sparc was organised by the Infection Control Academy of India (IFCAI); University of Hyderabad (UoH); Pragyaan Sustainable Health Outcomes Foundation (PRASHO)