Kenyan Policy Fellows shine light on Silent Pandemic through powerful documentary
November 2023: Kenyan Policy fellows, Evelyn Wesangula and Romona Ndanyi, collaborated on a documentary that explores the complexities of AMR in Kenya, aiming to captivate the attention of both policymakers and the general public.
Kenyan Fleming Fund Policy fellows in Human and Animal Health, Romona Ndanyi and Evelyn Wesangula, joined forces under the guidance of their mentor, Prof. Liz Grant. Their collaborative effort materialized in the form of a documentary titled "The Silent Pandemic," a testament to their commitment to address the pressing issue of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Kenya during their fellowship.
Two women with passion, one trained in human medicine the other in veterinary medicine, brought their shared belief that knowledge about AMR must be knowledge made useful to bring about change. This documentary is a powerful example of how to intertwine public, primary and planetary health together to tackle the ever growing burden of AMR.
Leveraging their fellowship to engage stakeholders at both county and national levels, Romona and Evelyn conducted interviews with a diverse range of stakeholders. These interviews featured compelling narratives, including a touching testimony from an individual who lost a family member to a drug-resistant infection.
The primary goal of "The Silent Pandemic" documentary was to break the silence surrounding AMR in Kenya, and more widely in the southern and eastern Africa region. Romona and Evelyn aimed to elevate AMR as a critical policy concern at both national and county levels, and bring it to the forefront of public awareness and catalysing transformative changes in perceptions and actions related to public policy.
Collaboration with Distory Communications
To bring their vision to life, Romona and Evelyn collaborated with Distory Communications, adding depth and expertise to their storytelling.
The resulting documentary, delving into the complexity of AMR in Kenya, was strategically launched during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, to capture the attention of policymakers and the wider public.
You can watch the documentary below:
- Video: Silent Pandemic: The Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
- Kenyan Policy fellows, Evelyn Wesangula and Romona Ndanyi, collaborated with Prof. Liz Grant on a documentary that intricately explores the complexities of AMR in Kenya, aiming to captivate the attention of both policymakers and the general public.
Related Links
Fleming Fund Fellowship Scheme
Fleming Fund fellows at the University of Edinburgh
Fellowship partners: Kenya policy fellows and Professor Liz Grant