Public, private, and public-private partnerships to implement One Health as an action to address antimicrobial resistance in ColombiaParcerias públicas, privadas e público-privadas para a implementação da Saúde Única como uma ação contra a resistência a antimicrobianos na Colômbia

Abstract

This article describes the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and public-private coordination to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through the One Health approach. These partnerships are developed between governmental actors, private companies, and social organizations to build agendas, decision-making, and the management of projects of common interest. A case study from Colombia is presented. It describes examples of response from the public sector when the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a colistin resistance alert in 2016; from the animal protein production sector under an industry partnership for the rational use of antimicrobials; and, finally, from a public-private partnership in the swine sector, with governmental institutions and international cooperation, to take action to mitigate the risk of AMR. In Colombia, the establishment of partnerships with organizations representing agricultural producers has generated impactful actions such as strengthening ongoing communication channels between the public and private sectors; characterizing the conditions of the agricultural production chain; establishing mechanisms for consultation and validation of health policies related to AMR; obtaining a baseline of indicator pathogens and identification of possible flows of AMR spread; and, finally, achieving knowledge transfer and capacity-building with national and international experts, with actions to raise awareness about the problem of AMR and its impact on public health. The strategic model developed in Colombia through public-private collaboration can inspire other low- and middle-income countries to optimize their use of resources to obtain results that contribute to the national AMR mitigation plan.