Antibiotics | Development of the Zambian Standard Treatment Guidelines in the Animal Health Sector: A Key Step in Advancing Antimicrobial Stewardship

This article systematically reviews the challenges related to antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in Zambia's animal health sector and provides a detailed account of the development process of species-specific Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) based on the WHO methodology. The release of these guidelines marks a significant step toward promoting the rational use of antimicrobials in Zambia's animal health sector, with notable policy and practical implications.

 

Literature Overview
This article, titled 'Development of the Zambian Standard Treatment Guidelines in the Animal Health Sector: A Key Step in Advancing Antimicrobial Stewardship,' published in the journal Antibiotics, reviews and summarizes long-standing issues in antimicrobial use within Zambia's animal health sector, including non-standardized prescription practices, limited diagnostic capacity, and weak regulatory enforcement. To address these challenges, the research team developed species-specific standardized treatment guidelines based on the frameworks of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), aiming to promote the appropriate use of antimicrobials, reduce the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and improve animal and public health.

Background Knowledge
Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in veterinary practice aims to reduce the development of resistance and safeguard animal health and food safety by promoting rational antimicrobial use. As a low-income country, Zambia has long lacked national-level standardized treatment guidelines in its animal health sector, resulting in inconsistent treatment protocols and widespread antimicrobial misuse, further exacerbating AMR. This study developed Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) based on WHO AWaRe classification and WOAH list of critically important antimicrobials through systematic evaluation and multidisciplinary collaboration, to support clinical decision-making, improve veterinary service quality, and enhance consistency between policy and practice.

 

 

Research Methods and Experiments
The research team first conducted a situational analysis to identify priority diseases and treatment gaps in the animal health sector. Subsequently, a multidisciplinary expert panel was assembled, including veterinarians, academics, regulatory officials, and private-sector representatives. Using the WHO guideline development methodology and incorporating local disease patterns, AMR data, and current treatment practices, species-specific treatment protocols were established. Draft guidelines underwent peer review and validation workshops, and their quality was assessed using the AGREE II tool. The finalized guidelines were then piloted in selected regions.

Key Conclusions and Perspectives

• Zambia has developed its first set of standard treatment guidelines (STGs) for veterinary use, covering multiple species including poultry, cattle, pigs, fish, small ruminants, and companion animals.
• The STGs integrate the WHO AWaRe classification and the WOAH list of critically important antimicrobials to ensure appropriate antimicrobial selection and usage.
• The guidelines emphasize monitoring of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), standardization of prescription practices, and localized adaptation of antimicrobial use classifications.
• The study recommends incorporating STGs into professional certification and licensing renewal systems to ensure long-term compliance.

Research Significance and Prospects
This study provides a practical foundation for antimicrobial stewardship policies in Zambia, contributing to reduced antimicrobial misuse and improved animal health and food production systems. Looking ahead, the guidelines will be updated every two years to reflect evolving AMR patterns and international standards. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of strengthening local AMR surveillance, enhancing veterinary education, and promoting preventive animal health strategies.

 

 

Conclusion
This article highlights a significant advancement in antimicrobial stewardship within Zambia’s animal health sector. By developing standardized treatment guidelines (STGs), the research team effectively integrated WHO and WOAH frameworks while tailoring them to local epidemiological and veterinary practice contexts, ensuring both scientific rigor and practical applicability. Although challenges such as limited local AMR data were encountered during guideline development, the study emphasizes the need for future improvements in laboratory networks and data quality. Furthermore, the widespread adoption of these guidelines is expected to standardize veterinary practices, minimize unnecessary antimicrobial use, improve animal welfare, and ultimately protect public health. By incorporating STGs into professional training and certification systems and implementing regular updates, Zambia is poised for continuous improvement in antimicrobial stewardship.

 

Chikwanda Chileshe, Fusya Goma, Ntombi B Mudenda, Charles Maseka, and Roma Chilengi. Development of the Zambian Standard Treatment Guidelines in the Animal Health Sector: A Key Step in Advancing Antimicrobial Stewardship. Antibiotics.