Roles and challenges of coordinated public health laboratory response against COVID-19 pandemic in Africa

Authors

  • Idris Nasir Abdullahi Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5511-1272
  • Anthony Uchenna Emeribe Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
  • Azeez Oyebanji Akande Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria Nigeria
  • Peter Elisha Ghamba WHO National Polio Reference Laboratory, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria
  • Hafeez Aderinsayo Adekola Department of Microbiology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria
  • Yakubu Ibrahim Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • Amos Dangana Department of Medical Laboratory Services, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.12813

Keywords:

Molecular Diagnostics, COVID-19, Laboratory tests, SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

As the incidence of Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) continues to rise, many countries have been seeking for medical assistance such as donation or procurement of laboratory test kits and strips. These consumables are largely intended for use in the laboratory investigations of COVID-19 cases, suspected contacts, asymptomatic persons and in discharging cured persons. Thus, this article was instigated to update and remind healthcare providers and policymakers (especially those in developing countries) on the principles of sample collections, storage, transportation, laboratory protocols and networks needed for appropriate public health response against COVID-19 pandemic in Africa and other developing countries. In addition, this article presents challenges that hinder adequate COVID-19 laboratory response and discuss some possible solutions that could ameliorate these constrains.

Author Biographies

Idris Nasir Abdullahi, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Lecturer and Medical Virologist

Anthony Uchenna Emeribe, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

Lecturer

Peter Elisha Ghamba , WHO National Polio Reference Laboratory, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria

Biomedical Scientist

Amos Dangana, Department of Medical Laboratory Services, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja Nigeria

Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist

Downloads

Published

2020-07-31

How to Cite

1.
Abdullahi IN, Emeribe AU, Akande AO, Ghamba PE, Adekola HA, Ibrahim Y, Dangana A (2020) Roles and challenges of coordinated public health laboratory response against COVID-19 pandemic in Africa. J Infect Dev Ctries 14:691–695. doi: 10.3855/jidc.12813

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 07: July 2020

Section

Coronavirus Pandemic

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC