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“I felt frightened and anxious because I was still very young when I heard the news. What else could rescue me if the treatments meant to help me were not working?” says Brandon Jaka, a 26-year-old pharmacist in Harare, recalling the past.

Harare —Jaka was born with HIV and has spent his whole life taking daily medication to keep the virus under control. Since he was 8 years old, he has been learning how to handle his condition by following his treatment and diet plan, supported by his doctor and family.

For many years, the treatment was effective. However, the medications eventually stopped working. In 2017, while he was in high school and undergoing a regular check-up, his viral load was found to be too high, he recalls. Those responsible assumed he was not taking his medication properly, but that was not true. His body had stopped responding to the antiretroviral drugs he had relied on since childhood.

I went through multiple examinations and hospital visits before I found out what was wrong,” he says. “Once the results arrived, the doctors informed me that I had contracted drug-resistant HIV.

When microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites adapt, they stop responding to medications that were once effective. Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant risk to global health. In the African region, elevated levels of disease and mortality are associated with resistant infections, which are further worsened by difficulties within the healthcare system.

In 2021, it is estimated that 4.7 million individuals worldwide died due to infections linked to antimicrobial resistance, with more than 1.14 million cases directly caused by bacterial resistance. Sub-Saharan Africa faces the most significant impact.

For Jaka, the diagnosis came as a huge blow. “It impacted me both physically, emotionally, and mentally,” he states. “At that time, I wasn’t sure if I would make it through.”

His physician quickly transitioned him to a second-line therapy, which is typically more complicated and frequently costlier. The change was challenging, yet his condition started to improve within a few months.

Things returned to normal in under a year following my diagnosis,” says Jaka. “I understood I had been granted a second opportunity.

Having earned his qualification as a pharmacist, he chose to transform his professional experience into a valuable lesson for others. He currently focuses his efforts on increasing awareness regarding antimicrobial resistance and the significance of proper testing while emphasizing the dangers of self-diagnosis, which can result in improper medication use.

By engaging in community initiatives and sharing personal narratives, he has emerged as a dedicated supporter of safe drug practices. His efforts involve giving speeches, running online campaigns, and offering guidance to young individuals dealing with long-term health conditions.

my work embodies my mission,” he notes. “i aim to preserve lives, encourage the proper use of medications, and safeguard the therapies that helped me.

Jaka is a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), which amplifies the perspectives of individuals who have faced complications due to drug-resistant infections. The Task Force members act as advocates to influence the global AMR discourse and impact policies related to antimicrobial resistance.

The World Health Organization (WHO) encourages awareness and behavior modification initiatives to tackle the misuse of antimicrobials. This involves backing public education efforts that promote good hygiene, immunization, and the correct use of antimicrobials. WHO also supports new methods, such as involving children in schools as AMR champions and utilizing digital and social media platforms to increase reach and emphasize the proper use of antimicrobials.

Zimbabwe, similar to numerous nations in sub-Saharan Africa, has seen advancements in HIV therapy, although instances of drug resistance continue to pose difficulties. Medical officials advise individuals to adhere strictly to their prescribed medications and to refrain from using unauthorized drugs or sharing pharmaceuticals.

The development of drug resistance, whether in viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites, is largely influenced by improper usage and limited access to adequate medical care.

Over a million deaths worldwide each year are associated with AMR, a number projected to increase significantly unless immediate measures are implemented. In developing and middle-income nations, restricted availability of diagnostic tools and treatment monitoring frequently contributes to the growth of resistance.

“Everyone has the power to prevent it (AMR) — by using antimicrobial medications properly and following the advice of medical experts,” says Jaka, whose viral load is now undetectable due to the successful treatment he received.

“Let us safeguard the medicines that keep us safe,” he states.

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