Context

Large-scale epidemics are becoming more and more frequent and constitute a health, economic, social and security threat. Resource-limited, at-risk settings are most vulnerable to the burden and amplification of epidemics — particularly in Africa.

This is notably true of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which scientists isolated in 2020, following an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan, China.
The availability of a molecular diagnostic for COVID-19 early in the outbreak has proven critically important in tracking the spread of the virus. Additional tools are required to boost surveillance and optimize the public health response until a vaccine or drug are ready to be administered for control of COVID-19.

Hence, the Institut Pasteur de Dakar was selected by the Africa CDC, WHO and the regional disease surveillance center of WAHO/ECOWAS to deliver an accelerated training program in February for over 31 national public health laboratories across Africa.
Respiratory infections are likely the most common communicable infectious diseases worldwide.

Mitigating the risk of extension of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemics in Africa is of the utmost importance to preserve the continent as much as possible from the human and economic consequences associated with a possible large-scale spread of the virus.

Objective

This action proposes a strategic framework to reinforce preparedness and response to COVID-19 in Africa as well as to implement an innovative approach to address unmet needs of diagnostics and health services through mobile platforms delivering laboratory and health services to detect, respond, control and prevent epidemics in Africa focusing on access driven business models, local capacities and sustainability.

The scientific program aims at addressing immediate needs for response and preparedness in Africa for the COVID-19 in affected and non-affected countries respectively through the concerted approach of Africa CDC/WHO Afro/WHO/ECOWAS along with Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) as a regional center designated by the 3 organizations and building a more sustainable and affordable ecosystem to support health system with mobile platforms for diagnostics and health services provided by Praesens Care (PC).