SEDRIC was created to identify key gaps and barriers to AMR data collection, analysis and dissemination. Now, 3 years since our inception, we have grown into a global think tank with over 140 members based across 25 countries. Our way of working has also developed as we have grown, our portfolio now includes several working groups, a global map to track AMR surveillance projects, and numerous publications.

At SEDRIC, we aim to achieve stronger, more resilient health systems through influencing changes in policy, practice and funding in surveillance of drug resistant infections. To achieve this, we have developed a strategy to focus the way we work which ensures everything we do is collaborative. Our Theory of Change has enabled us to monitor our achievements and track our progression. At this 3-year mark, we look back at what we see as our top 3 achievements.

  1. Setting priorities of patient centred surveillance of drug resistant infections

Our first working group carried out a global survey in a bid to identify the barriers that clinicians encounter in their day-to-day practice when they need to diagnose and treat patients with drug resistant infections. The group identified 10 research priorities where funding should be increased. The top 3 were Infection Prevention and Control, Patient Management Systems (see LIMS project below), and diagnostic stewardship. You can read the full paper here.

  1. Global meeting

In October 2019 we convened over 100 experts in AMR surveillance at the Wellcome Trust office in London. The meeting covered a range of topics, from use of antimicrobials in livestock to stressing the importance of vaccines to lower infection rates. 

  1. AMR surveillance map

In September 2020 we launched an interactive map to allow our members to share the location and details of their research projects. By building a global overview of surveillance projects we want to create a database to identify which countries and regions need to increase their capacity and where resources are needed. Understanding existing gaps can help us build a case to increase research funding to fill them.

Expectations for 2021

COVID-19 has inevitably slowed some of our work. But we are still moving at a swift pace as we look forward to what 2021 has instore for us. Below are some highlights we are looking forward to sharing with you this year.

  1. Virtual global meeting

Following the success of our meeting in 2019, we are holding a webinar in April 2021. The agenda and speakers will be finalised in the coming weeks. Register as a member to ensure you receive your invite here.

  1. Policy working group

Our newest working group is currently collecting case studies to show how other public health interventions have used scientific data to influence policy makers. Currently, scientific data on drug resistant infections is not utilised consistently enough in decision making. We want to ensure data on drug resistant infections is one of the essential components presented to decision makers.

  1. Barriers and facilitators to the uptake of blood culture sampling recommendations

A member of our board based in Bangkok is conducting a systematic review to identify known barriers and facilitators to the adoption of local and international blood culture sampling recommendations. The team are also conducting interviews and surveys to explore how generalisable the results are among medical doctors in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

  1. Measuring animal use working group

We are currently scoping a working group which will develop a publication on standardising methods of measuring antimicrobial use in animals in low- and middle-income countries. 

  1. Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) development

One of the top priorities identified in the patent centred surveillance working group was to improve and support data collection and sharing of drug resistant infections in low and middle-income countries. Wellcome Trust is currently funding a team to build an open source LIMS, designed to be used for free in low resource settings. The group is currently gathering information from people who have experience working with LIMS to gather data on current and desired functionality.

Finally, we would like to say Thank you and Goodbye to two of our Board Members, Professor Alison Holmes from Imperial College, United Kingdom and Professor Iruka Okeke from Ibadan University Nigeria, who have stepped down their roles at the end of 2021. They have played a pivotal role in launching the network, developing its governance structure and designing our very first working group activities.  SEDRIC is looking to make new board appointments throughout 2021. New Board Members, along with a new Deputy Chair, will be announced in the coming months.