Towards a healthier future

On 15 and 16 October 2024, key members of NeoNET AFRICA, a collaborative network dedicated to advancing neonatal sepsis diagnosis, treatment, and management, met with Africa CDC representatives in Addis Ababa to discuss a shared vision for neonatal health in Africa. SACEMA’s Dr Larisse Bolton, part of the Antibiotics for Neonatal Sepsis in Africa (ANSA) team led by Professor Angela Dramowski from Stellenbosch University, was among the NeoNET AFRICA delegates contributing to this essential dialogue. 

The focus of this high-impact meeting was on establishing a resilient partnership between NeoNET AFRICA and Africa CDC to drive initiatives critical to neonatal sepsis management. Priority areas include improving clinical practices, conducting applied research, leveraging data for public health decisions, and enhancing bacterial isolate biobanking. Moreover, capacity building and training were recognized as pivotal to creating sustainable advancements in this field. 

Strategic discussions centred on the role of clinical metadata and genomic data in improving sepsis surveillance and treatment outcomes for newborns across Africa. The outcome of this partnership is a robust roadmap aimed at transforming neonatal sepsis care on the continent, fostering collaboration and innovation to support long-term improvements in neonatal health. 

With this partnership, NeoNET AFRICA and Africa CDC are paving the way for a healthier future for Africa’s neonates, establishing sustainable health systems to reduce neonatal mortality from sepsis. 

As we lead up to World AMR Awareness Week, check out Africa CDC’s story: New Guidance Sets Path to Strengthen AMR Surveillance. 

Front row from left: Kirsty Gray, Charlene Rodrigues, Adrie Bekker (NeoNET AFRICA), Francis Chikuse (Africa CDC).

Back row from left: Larisse Bolton (SACEMA), Andrew Whitelaw, Felicity Fitzgerald, Angela Dramowski (NeoNET AFRICA)