Using digital health to address antimicrobial resistance

World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week aims to raise awareness about the growing global health problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is forecasted to cause 1-91% of direct deaths and 8-22% of associated deaths by 2050. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics contribute to the rise of AMR, worsening patient outcomes and increasing healthcare costs. Digital tools, such as computerized decision support, mobile health applications, and wearable devices, can help in early diagnosis of bacterial infectious diseases. However, challenges such as poor infrastructure, insufficient investment, and inadequate dissemination of information to regulatory bodies in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) hinder the implementation and innovation of these tools. Regulatory pathways for digital health tools are crucial for ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of diagnostic procedures. To accelerate the development and global access to diagnostic tools, international collaborations and harmonisation programs like the African Medical Devices Forum (AMDF) are essential.