From Burden to Regulation: Why Sub-Saharan Africa Should Lead on Pragmatic Phage Therapy Implementation

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa cannot afford to treat access to phage therapy as a distant objective. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is already altering clinical treatment options, prolonging hospital stays, and increasing healthcare costs. Both WHO Africa and the Africa CDC have identified AMR as an urgent continental threat that requires concrete implementation rather than further declarations [1,2]. Zambia and its neighbouring countries should immediately initiate a regulated magistral phage-access pathway, sustained through regional cooperation.