For global AMR advocate, Professor Mirfin Mpundu, the heartbreak of losing his mother to a drug-resistant infection propelled him to dedicate his life to countering antimicrobial resistance, and in turn help save the lives of others.

“My mother went into hospital well and healthy but died a week after giving birth to my sister,” says Mirfin. “While recovering from a C-section, she picked up an infection which was resistant to the available antibiotics in the hospital. It rapidly led to sepsis. I’ve always believed that my mother’s death could have been avoided if they’d had the right antibiotics to treat her infection.”

The tragedy was a turning point for Mirfin, who was 18 at the time. He decided to study to become a clinical pharmacist. Since his home country of Zambia didn’t have a pharmacy school, he got a scholarship for his undergraduate studies in Tanzania. He later specialized in infectious diseases and public health in the United States before going back to Zambia. Mirfin has since become one of the leading global voices on the importance of accessing effective antibiotics and advocating for ways to prevent antimicrobial resistance.

As the co-founder of ReAct Africa, Mirfin and his team have supported many African governments in developing and implementing their national action plans on antimicrobial resistance.

Mirfin is particularly proud of the growing band of young volunteers he has helped to nurture over the years. Through ReAct Africa, young people, mostly students, are taught about AMR and how to bring about change through using antibiotics appropriately, and how to prevent infections. They in turn take the knowledge they’ve learnt deep into the community – from schools and clinics to churches and campuses, often relaying their message through art, poetry and theatre. Students have also formed One Health clubs. The programme has cascaded into a range of African countries, such as Kenya, Tanzania and Liberia.

Many of these young ‘AMR champions’, together with policymakers, healthcare workers and researchers also gather at the annual AMR conferences in Zambia, hosted by ReAct Africa and the South Centre. The conference pulses with excitement and energy as people talk about what they are doing to improve infection prevention and control, prevent misuse of antibiotics and increase access to effective antibiotics.

They also discuss ways to best engage politicians, intergovernmental organizations and the global community to counter AMR in Africa, which is disproportionately affected by AMR.

Mirfin has put AMR firmly on the African agenda and onto the global stage. He has become a sought-after speaker in global conferences and working groups and often writes on gaps in access to antibiotics and diagnostics, AMR as a health security issue and other vital issues. He has also supported the World Bank and Africa CDC and other organisations in their work in Africa and Asia.

For Mirfin, life has turned full circle. “My mother’s death was devastating. But it inspired me to commit to this field. Antibiotic resistance causes so much illness and death. It drains money from families as people become too ill to work. It also leaves people feeling desperate as they often can’t afford some of the third or fourth generation antibiotics that could work, if they are available at all. People often resign themselves to die,” says Mirfin.

This is an untenable situation, which needs change, and constant attention, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, which is particularly hard-hit by drug-resistant infections. While more funding and commitment is needed, Mirfin is not giving up the fight.

“We’ve been strong advocates, not just at a country or regional level, but globally. We have worked with intergovernmental organisations and the Africa CDC on stemming AMR. Our young people – as the doctors, nurses and pharmacists of tomorrow – are playing their part. We have been the voice of the Global South, and we want to get even stronger.”

Mirfin’s mother would have been proud. He has honoured her memory through his dedication towards a better outcome for this generation and those to come.

 

This story was made in collaboration with ReAct Africa.