The team behind Antibiogo
Where it all started
Antibiogo is the initiative of Nada Malou, a doctor specialized in AMR and access to diagnostics. Seeing the urgency in the antibiotics resistance situation, she put together a project within the MSF Foundation to act.
1. Antimicrobial resistance is a global and urgent issue
AMR, recognized as a public health concern since the 1940s, continues to escalate as infections increasingly resist antibiotics. This challenge is particularly pressing in LMICs. Historically, the lack of access to diagnostics in LMICs has obscured the extent of AMR. At organizations like MSF, we often encounter patients suffering from seemingly minor infections that could be easily treatable with access to proper diagnostics. Closing this gap in diagnostic access is crucial for effective management of AMR and improving healthcare outcomes worldwide.
2. If one person loses, we all lose
AMR isn't a battle we face alone. In today's interconnected world, diseases spread rapidly. If even one lab lacks accurate technology for treatment, resorting to stronger antibiotics, it fuels resistance globally. Ensuring equity in access to accurate diagnostics and treatments is crucial. Additionally, there's a pressing need for the development of diagnostic tests by and for the Global South, addressing the unique challenges faced by these regions.
3. The need for a multidisciplinary approach
MSF's experience shows that while machines are crucial for diagnostics, it's empowering lab technicians with training that truly makes a difference. We firmly believe in the importance of human capacity building alongside diagnostic tools in combating AMR effectively. That is why Antibiogo comes with a training programme, accessible to all those who want it.
Made by lab techs, for lab techs and by doctors, for doctors.
Get to know the experts we collaborated with to bring you this game-changing digital health tool.
Médecins Sans Frontières
The MSF Foundation
i2a
Laboratoire de Mathématiques et Modélisation d'Évry
Henri Mondor Hospital
UMR Genoscope Metabolic
Google.org
EPFL
Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
CHU La Réunion
Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit
Pasteur Institute, Dakar
Meet the labs that supported the making of Antibiogo
To make Antibiogo not only the tool, but the multidisciplinary programme that it is today, we relied on the precious help and user testing of several MSF labs located in LMICs.
MSF laboratory in Yemen
The MSF laboratory in Aden is the only bacteriology lab in the region that processes bones and tissues to diagnose war-related infections.
MSF bacteriology laboratory in Mali
The MSF bacteriology laboratory at Koutiala CSREF in Mali is the first of its kind for MSF France. The insights gained from this laboratory and the engagement of its users contributed to the development of Antibiogo.
MSF reconstructive hospital in Jordan
The MSF reconstructive hospital in Amman, Jordan, houses the RSP laboratory, which is a critical facility for diagnosing war-related infections. This bacteriology laboratory plays a key role in supporting the multidisciplinary approach to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).