KIU Western Campus-Kampala International University will host the inaugural antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial stewardship symposium for medical students under the theme: “Empowering the Future Health Workforce”. The symposium targets students pursuing programmes of pharmacy, medicine and dentistry, and nursing sciences. 

The blended physical and online event will be held on Thursday, April 29, 2021, in the KIU Teaching Hospital Conference Hall. This highly interactive symposium is intended to provide future health professionals with the latest knowledge and best practices in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) for tackling the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) not only in Uganda but also globally. Upon completion, attendees will be awarded certificates of attendance.  

The event is organised by the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) in partnership with Medicines Technologies and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) project of Management Sciences for Health (MSH) and is sponsored by United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The symposium will cover the following topics:

A Brief Overview of Antimicrobials: Classification and Pharmacology by Dr Daniel Chans Mwandah, Lecturer, School of Pharmacy, KIU and Member PSU Editorial Committee.

Introduction to AMR: Causes and Mechanisms of AMR by Dr Stella Nanyonga, Clinical Pharmacist/Clinical Epidemiologist, Makerere University and Chair PSU AMR Committee.

AMR as a Global Threat: Facts and Figures in Human and Animal Health by Dr Morris Okumu, Consultant, RBM Partnership to End Malaria and Member PSU Education and Grants Committee.

Tackling AMR: AMS in the Medicine Retail Sector by Dr Freddy Eric Kitutu, Dean School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University.

Global Best Practices in AMS: Lessons for Pharmacy Practice in Uganda by Dr Marion Murungi, Senior Technical Advisor, MSH/MTaPS.

Optimizing the Pharmacist’s Role in AMS: Practical Aspects for Uganda by Dr Winnie Nambatya, Lecturer School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University. 

The sessions will be moderated by:

Dr Nuru Mugide, Lecturer, School of Pharmacy, KIU Western Campus & Member Education and Grants Committee, PSU.

Dr Jonans Tusiimire, ADVC Academics and Research, KIU Western Campus & Vice President and Chair, Education and Grants Committee, PSU.

Dr Jane Frances Zalwango, Member Antimicrobial Resistance Committee, PSU.

The management of KIU would like to thank the organisers (PSU/MTaPS), sponsors (MSH/USAID), facilitators, moderators and the respective deans and heads of department who are involved in planning for this important event. We wish all the participants a very fruitful symposium.