Support for diagnostic capacities in Africa

Reliable and rapid diagnostics are critical for the clinical management of COVID-19 patients and the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic that is also spreading in Africa. Especially in sub-Saharan Africa, laboratory capacity for infectious agent diagnostics is often non-existent. Therefore, laboratories in hospitals - often even in national and regional diagnostic centers - need to be better equipped. This concerns both the devices and the laboratories themselves. Of central importance are training and education of laboratory personnel to prepare, perform and interpret the required methods. Close cooperation with the institutions where diagnostic laboratories are established and accredited is necessary.

For this reason, reliable molecular diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2 will be established at institutions in eight Sub-Saharan African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Nigeria, Tanzania) that already have long-standing collaborations with BNITM. In the mentioned institutions, premises are available that are suitable for the performance of coronavirus diagnostics. These laboratories are to be equipped with the necessary devices and laboratory personnel or trainers of laboratory personnel are to be trained.

Project coordination: Prof. Jürgen May, Prof. Stephan Günther, Prof. Michael Ramharter