3.1 National coordinating centre

A key component that ensures the functioning of a national AMR surveillance system is the setting up of a national coordinating centre or NCC. The NCC oversees the functioning of the national AMR surveillance system. The NCC is required to carry out the following actions:

1. Coordinate the collection and aggregation of AMR data from surveillance sites and national reference laboratories.
2. Analyse and share this AMR data with WHO GLASS.
3. Define AMR objectives at a national level, linked to the national AMR strategy.
4. Monitor the national surveillance system and ensure its correct functioning.
5. Offer epidemiological, laboratory and management expertise to facilitate the implementation of the WHO GLASS standards.
6. Be the central point of communication with national policy makers and the WHO.

As noted in Section 2, the WHO GLASS-led initiative is designed to encourage nations to develop national AMR surveillance systems. Surveillance is primarily a locally led activity. As discussed in the course Introducing AMR surveillance systems, many countries have existing surveillance systems. Where possible, an existing national public health institute is nominated as an NCC. The NCC should support a One Health approach, by communicating regularly with counterparts from other sectors (in many countries each sector has their own NCC), and continue to review the scope of AMR surveillance, as the capacity and capability of the national AMR surveillance system evolves.

The NCC is usually a subcommittee or technical working group (TWG) of the AMRCC (AMR coordinating committee) or similar body (see Section 5.6).