Transforming WHO Global Action Plans into Integrated Country Plans and Actions on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS)
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a major threat to global health, development, and security. In response to the evolving AMR landscape, the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly (WHA77) adopted Resolution WHA77.6, requesting WHO to develop a new Global Action Plan on AMR (AMR GAP) in consultation with Member States and partners. Similarly, the 2024 UN High-Level Meeting on AMR called on the Quadripartite organizations to update the AMR GAP by 2026, building on the 2015 plan and aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals through a One Health approach.
To complement this effort, WHO developed the Global Action Plan and Monitoring Framework (GAPMF) on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), which was endorsed at WHA77. The GAPMF outlines eight strategic directions to support countries in strengthening IPC at both national and facility levels, with a strong emphasis on integrating IPC into AMR strategies to ensure sustainability and optimize resource use.
Strategic directions 3 and 5 of the GAPMF emphasize embedding IPC and the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents into patient care pathways and polices along with strengthening healthcare facilities’ capacities to analyze, report, and interpret data on IPC, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), and antimicrobial consumption—ensuring that data are effectively used to drive action. Promoting responsible antibiotic use is also a key objective of the AMR GAP, WHO’s 14th General Programme of Work, and the Muscat Manifesto.
In the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), countries have made notable progress in implementing AMR and IPC strategies, with 20 countries have multisectoral AMR coordination mechanisms, 21 have developed national AMR action plans, and 18 have set IPC programmes. All EMR countries are enrolled in the Global AMR Surveillance System (GLASS), and 16 have systems in place to monitor antimicrobial use.
Despite these achievements, IPC remains chronically underfunded, with only six countries allocating dedicated budgets. Nine countries have adopted the WHO AWaRe classification, and just four have costed and budgeted AMR action plans —highlighting the need for integrated, budgeted national IPC and AMR plans with measurable outcomes.
In high-AMR burden regions like the EMR, where antibiotic use is highest and health systems are often fragmented, integrated IPC and AMS programmes are critical—not only for AMR control but also for delivering high-quality, safe care. A 2024 Lancet series estimated that strengthening IPC in LMICs could prevent over 337,000 AMR-related deaths annually—more than WASH or vaccination interventions.
This workshop aims to strengthen regional capacities in IPC and AMS planning and implementation, enhance collaboration and team dynamics, and share practical tools and experiences to accelerate progress.
Objectives
This workshop will offer participants an opportunity to
Gain familiarity with key WHO resources for IPC and AMR planning and monitoring
Review regional progress in IPC and AMR implementation and identify priority areas for targeted improvement and support
Engage in discussions on the synergistic implementation of IPC and AMS programmes as evidence-based interventions to combat AMR in healthcare settings.
Generate actionable recommendations to accelerate IPC and AMS integration at both national and facility levels.
Expected Deliverables
Compilation of good practices and tools shared during the workshop to support IPC implementation and integration
Participant feedback summary to inform future capacity-building initiatives and guide WHO’s technical support
A regional white paper summarizing key discussions, strategic recommendations, and regional-specific insights
Short expert video interviews to be used as regional advocacy materials and published across EMRO platforms
Target Audience
National, Provincial, and facility-level IPC and AMR Policymakers and Programme managers
IPC Professionals, Infectious Disease Specialists, AMS Leads, Quality and Microbiology Experts
Researchers and Academicians, Members of professional societies, and
Partner agencies interested in supporting the scale-up of IPC and AMR interventions
AGENDA
Welcome, workshop objectives, and agenda overview
Chair: Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi, Director, Department of Communicable Diseases, WHO EMRO, Egypt
Session 1: The global WHO plans and strategies to reduce AMR
Preview on the new WHO Global Action Plan on AMR:
Updated strategies for tackling resistance
Dr. Sarah Paulin, Technical Officer, AMR Department, WHO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland
The WHO Global Action Plan and Monitoring Framework (GAPMF) on IPC and its implementation in the current geo-political and financial landscape
Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi, Director, Department of Communicable Diseases WHO EMRO, Cairo, Egypt
From policy to implementation: A practical guide for national action plans on IPC
Dr. Claire Kilpatrick, S3 Global Health, Consultant to WHO
Interactive Q&A and live polling
All participants
Break
Session 2: Stocktake on the regional progress and implementation
Enhancing appropriate use of antibiotics – WHO tools and plans
Dr. Shaffi Koya, Medical Officer, AMR/IPC, WHO EMRO, Cairo, Egypt
IPC and AMR progress and priorities in the EMR
Dr. Hala Amer, Regional Advisor. AMR/IPC, WHO EMRO, Cairo, Egypt
AMS in primary healthcare: reducing antimicrobial pressure to enhance IPC outcomes
Dr. Jameela Al Salman, Associate Professor of Medicine, Arabian Gulf University; Chairperson of the WHO Strategic Advisory Group for AMR; Director of Quality, IPC and AMS program in King Hamad American Mission Hospital, Bahrain
Challenges and opportunities in IPC and AMS planning and implementation at national and facility levels
Fishbowl facilitated by Dr. Iman Heweidy, Technical Officer, AMR/IPC, WHO EMRO, Cairo, Egypt
All participants
Break
Session 3: Roundtable discussions on strengthening IPC and AMS programmes’ integration and teams’ collaboration in healthcare delivery
Setting the stage for the roundtables: objectives, tools, and structure
Facilitated by Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi and Dr. Iman Heweidy
Group Discussions
1. Facility Roundtable to discuss on:
What are the challenges in coordinated actions between the IPC and AMS teams?
What resources and support are needed to improve team coordination between IPC, AMS, and microbiology lab teams at the facility level?
Can you share any practical examples of coordinated/integrated activities in clinical practice?
How can data sharing, use, and communication be improved to achieve better outcomes?
2. National Roundtable to discuss on:
What are the current challenges in coordination between national IPC, AMS, and microbiology programmes?
What resources and support are needed to enhance coordinated planning at national/provincial levels?
Can you share any practical examples of coordinated/integrated activities between IPC and AMS programmes?
How can data sharing, use, and communication be improved to achieve better outcomes?
2 facilitators per group:
Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi / Dr. Jameela Al Salman, Bahrain
Dr. Iman Heweidy / Dr. Claire Kilpatrick, UK
Group Reporting and Panel Discussion
Panel facilitated by Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi
Dr. Majid Alshamrani, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Heba Dada, Public Health Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Bushra Alghamdi, Gulf CDC
Prof. Mohamed Halwani, AlBaha University, AlBaha, Saudi Arabia
Closing remarks and the way forward
Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi
Dr. Majid Alshamrani, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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