As the overall coordinator of the ASPIRE Consortium, our institute was pleased to join international partners, researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and health authorities from Ethiopia, Ghana, Germany, Norway, India, and other countries to advance collaborative efforts addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and healthcare-associated infections.

Hosted by Jimma University, the three-day meeting provided an important platform for scientific exchange, implementation research, policy dialog, capacity building, and strategic planning. Discussions focused on infection prevention and control, antimicrobial stewardship, therapeutic drug monitoring, microbiological surveillance, and evidence-based healthcare approaches.

Healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance remain among the most urgent global health challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where healthcare systems often face constraints in infection prevention infrastructure, diagnostics, workforce capacity, and access to effective antimicrobial therapies. Against this backdrop, the ASPIRE Consortium aims to strengthen infection prevention and control measures, optimize antimicrobial use, improve microbiological surveillance, and generate implementation evidence capable of informing policy and improving patient outcomes across diverse healthcare settings.

The consortium meeting was officially opened by Dr. Jemal Abafita, President of Jimma University, who highlighted the spirit of international collaboration reflected in the consortium. Referring to Jimma as the birthplace of Coffee Arabica, he connected the region's heritage with ASPIRE's shared mission of building a healthier and safer future through global partnership and scientific cooperation. He also emphasized antimicrobial resistance as a major global health threat requiring coordinated scientific action and commended ASPIRE for translating research evidence into policy and clinical practice.

Welcome remarks were delivered by Prof. Esayas Kebede Gudina, ASPIRE Scientific Lead, and Dr. Arne Kroidl, ASPIRE Consortium Lead. Dr. Habtewold Deti, representing the Office of the Vice President for Research and Partnerships at Jimma University, reaffirmed the university's strong commitment to research excellence, innovation, international collaboration, and impactful partnerships such as ASPIRE.

Importantly, the meeting included active participation from health authorities, including representatives from the Ethiopian Ministry of Health and the Oromia Health Bureau, reflecting ASPIRE's strong co-creation approach and its commitment to translating research findings into policy and clinical practice.

Over the course of the meeting, consortium members reviewed project objectives, operational progress, implementation strategies, and upcoming milestones to ensure alignment across all partners as the study moves toward activation. The consortium concluded with milestone reviews, strategic planning sessions, and discussions on future directions for the project, reaffirming the importance of international collaboration and implementation research in strengthening healthcare systems and improving patient outcomes.

Beyond the scientific program, participants also experienced Ethiopian hospitality and culture, including traditionally prepared coffee ("buna") from its renowned region of origin. On the final evening, attendees celebrated the successful meeting at a gala dinner featuring performances by the Jimma University Theater Arts Department and a live local band.

The Institute of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine at LMU University Hospital Munich sincerely thanks Jimma University and all consortium partners, facilitators, investigators, health authorities, and organizers for their outstanding contributions to a highly productive and inspiring meeting.

Source: Information based on news by Jimma University, Ethiopia