Building Linkages for Capacity Strengthening in Veterinary and Public Health Preparedness and Resilience for Prevention and Control Infectious Diseases with Epidemic Potential in Sierra Leone and Guinea
The specific objectives of the project are as follows:
The specific objectives of the project are as follows:
To establish a laboratory at Njala University to perform molecular and serological testing on human and animal samples for infectious diseases.
To train a pool of laboratory experts that can perform these tests in a safe and reliable way leading to high quality results.
To make the newly established laboratory services at Njala University attractive and provide laboratory support to the general public health and veterinary services in Sierra Leone.
To train a pool of laboratory experts to design and execute research projects that will provide evidence-based rational interventions in infectious disease control.
To create a pool of trainers that can provide training modules in basic laboratory diagnostic techniques on infectious diseases at Njala University.
Strengthen veterinary and Public Health laboratories in Njala University to:
Ensure rapid and safe sample collection
Sample collection, transportation and handling
Rapid and accurate sample testing
Timely communication of results
These were selected based on their documented presence in Sierra Leone and the potential to cause pandemics or severe epidemics:
These were selected based on their documented presence in Sierra Leone and the potential to cause pandemics or severe epidemics:
Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers
Ebola viral disease by Ebola virus including the closely related filovirus, Marburg virus
Lassa fever caused by the Lassa virus
Rift Valley fever caused by the RVF phlebovirus
Rabies, caused by Lyssaviruses
Highly pathogenic Influenza viruses
The Global wake call for Zika has also raised concern for inclusion into the mini projects
Health laboratory services are essential for the efficient delivery of quality and cost-effective healthcare
Health laboratory services are essential for the efficient delivery of quality and cost-effective healthcare
Over the past few years the crucial role of laboratories in diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and public health disease outbreaks is becoming more and more recognized and the attention for the quality of laboratory services in resource poor countries has increased tremendously
International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) requires WHO member states to ‘establish mechanisms to provide reliable and timely laboratory diagnosis of infectious agents and other hazards potentially causing public health emergencies of national and international concern’
One Health concept envisaged seeks to improve health and well-being through the prevention of risks and the mitigation crises that originate at the interface between humans, animals and their various environments; through which the laboratory provides evidence-base for rational interventions
As the laboratory will be part of the university-wide initiatives, it will provide opportunities for students to gain important practical expertise
Coordinators, facilitators and the trained staff to pair up and engage in the ‘mini’ projects
Coordinators, facilitators and the trained staff to pair up and engage in the ‘mini’ projects
The Ministry of Health and Sanitation to firm up and give a final decision on the staff to join the project on permanent basis.
Local partnerships envisaged from Schools of Natural Resource Management (Department of Wild Life, Biodiversity and Eco-tourism) and Environmental Sciences (Department of Biological Sciences)
Faculty of Applied Sciences at Fourah Bay College of the University of Sierra Leone is also interested in partnership for joint research and training opportunities
Project intervention for data collection and reporting
Project intervention for data collection and reporting
Initial target populations are the chiefdoms within Moyamba district
the laboratory will function as a second line laboratory where samples from patients or animals suspected of viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF) and other zoonotic infections will be tested
Data will be collected at the request of the health workers, veterinary workers, government or other stakeholders such as NGOs, hospitals or development agencies.
Geographical area of the study sites will be determined by the emerging mini projects of the selected diseases. The location of the mini-projects may also differ per project.
These activities are presented graphically in the Gantt chart (see Table 1 on next slide)
Upgrade the level of technical knowledge and expertise of current and new staff via training of trainers, training and exchange visits
Upgrade the level of technical knowledge and expertise of current and new staff via training of trainers, training and exchange visits
Enhance the ‘one-health’ concept regarding emerging outbreaks of zoonotic diseases, in particular viral haemorrhagic fevers
Upgrade lab facilities and equipment to facilitate routine diagnostic testing
Integrate lab services into the national health machinery
Develop, implement and sustain a quality assurance system
Initiate the implementation of a quality management system based on ISO15189:2012.
Expand beyond the present scope forging increased partnerships at national and international levels with the view to establish a three-storey complex as Njala University Central Laboratory for field operation.
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