Leadership and Task Shifting to Address the Challenges of Antimicrobial Resistance in South Africa

Antimicrobial resistance is a complex problem interconnected with many factors, such as overuse and misuse of antimicrobials across the world, especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). To overcome this, the Global Action Plan requires commitment action in LMICs, aimed at education and health promotion to all. Demand for the Health Care Professionals (HCPs) in developed countries and exponential chances of earning had led to the shortage of HCPs in most countries and severe shortage in more than 50 LMICs. Community Health Workers (CHWs) are being recognised in many LMICs to deliver primary health care service with minimum training as an alternative solution to combat the situation, which can improve the cost-effectiveness of health care systems. These CHWs can reach large number of people in the community where the public sector provided health service is very minimal and private health care sector is unaffordable.