The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) has handed over laboratory equipment to the Government of Guinea-Bissau to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and health systems in the ECOWAS region.
The equipment was provided under the Strengthening of Epidemiological Services and Health Systems in the ECOWAS Region (PROALAB) project, funded by Germany through KfW Entwicklungsbank.
In a statement published on the ECOWAS website, the handover ceremony was held at the National Public Health Laboratory in Guinea-Bissau.
WAHO Director-General, Dr Melchior Aïssi, formally handed over the equipment to Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Public Health, Commodore Dr Quinhin Nantote.
The Initiative is aimed at enhancing the country’s laboratory capacity and strengthening its ability to detect and respond to public health threats.
The handover was witnessed by the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Guinea-Bissau, Ambassador Ngozi Ukaeje, also present were the WAHO Focal Point in Guinea-Bissau, Dr Plácido Cardoso, and the director General of the National Public Health Laboratory, Dr. Baltazar Cá.
“The laboratory equipment handed over represents a total investment of one point five million Euro and will strengthen the capacity of the National Public Health Laboratory, contributing to improved laboratory diagnostics, epidemiological surveillance and Guinea-Bissau’s capacity to respond to public health threats”.
The handover forms part of the implementation of Phase 2 of the PROALAB project, whose first component focuses on “strengthening surveillance systems and laboratories at regional level through a series of procurements for the benefit of reference laboratories in five ECOWAS countries: Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and The Gambia”.
The equipment will enhance the operational and technical capacity of the National Public Health Laboratory and includes PCR and immunological testing equipment, general laboratory equipment, laboratory products and materials, as well as reagents and consumables.
The WAHO is the regional Agency charged with the responsibility of safeguarding the health of the peoples in the sub-region through the initiation and harmonisation of the policies of Member States, pooling of resources, and cooperation with one another and with others for a collective and strategic combat against the health problems of the sub-region.
The ECOWAS Commission’s support aims to contribute to the sustainable strengthening of national diagnostic and laboratory surveillance capacities, providing the National Public Health Laboratory with improved resources to fulfil its role in the detection and laboratory confirmation of diseases and in responding to public health threats and emergencies.
