The College of Health Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has entered into a landmark research collaboration with the Institute for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Hospital of the University of Munich (LMU), Germany. The partnership aims to reduce antimicrobial resistance and optimize antibiotic treatment in healthcare settings.
A high-level delegation from LMU, including Dr. Arne Kroide, Dr. Andreas Wieser, Dr. Gerhard Schwarz, and Dr. Eno Akua Biney, paid a courtesy call on the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Christian Agyare, to officially provide highlights on the collaboration. The visit marks a significant milestone in a growing partnership that dates back to 2017, facilitated by the support of the German Government through GIZ.
The joint project seeks to integrate advanced microbiological diagnostics and drug-level pharmaceutical diagnostics into clinical practice. This approach is expected to enhance antibiotic treatment strategies, improve patient care, and establish more efficient structures for the use of antibiotics at clinical sites.
Moreover, the initiative emphasizes strengthening hospital hygiene protocols and implementing interventions guided by established best practices to minimize hospital-acquired bacterial infections. These efforts aim to bolster patient safety and contribute to the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.
During the visit, Dr. Arne Kroide highlighted the long-standing collaboration between LMU and KNUST, emphasizing the success of past projects and the shared commitment to improving healthcare outcomes in both institutions.
Professor Christian Agyare, in his remarks, expressed gratitude and enthusiasm for the renewed partnership. He reaffirmed the College’s and the University's full support for the project, stating, “This collaboration aligns with our mission to improve health care through innovation and research. We are proud to be part of a global initiative addressing such a critical health challenge.”
The KNUST team will be led by Professor Isaac Ayensu, Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and Professor Alex Kwame Owusu-Ofori from the Department of Clinical Microbiology, both of whom bring extensive expertise to interdisciplinary research.
The collaboration is expected to yield actionable insights and practical solutions that will not only benefit healthcare institutions in Ghana and Germany but also contribute to international efforts in combating antibiotic resistance and optimizing Antibiotic treatments.
