A phased strengthening of laboratory capacity in the Eastern Mediterranean Region during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Wiley Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101304007 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1750-2659 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 17502640 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Influenza Other Respir Viruses Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: Oxford, UK : Wiley, c2007-
    • Subject Terms:
      COVID-19*/epidemiology; Humans ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Laboratories ; Pandemics ; Mediterranean Region/epidemiology
    • Abstract:
      The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) faces ongoing challenges in its public health system due to limited resources, logistical issues, and political disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for stronger laboratory capacities to handle the increased demand for testing. In a phased response, EMR countries utilized the National Influenza Centers to rapidly establish and scale molecular testing for SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. The expansion of capacity included strong collaborations between public health bodies and private and academic sectors to decentralize and expand testing to the subnational level. To ensure that the quality of testing was not impacted by rapid expansion, national and subnational laboratories were enrolled in external quality assurance programs for the duration of the response. Implementation of genomic surveillance was prioritized for variant tracking, leading to the establishment of regional sequencing reference laboratories and the distribution of MinION sequencing platforms to complex emergency countries who previously had limited experience with pathogen sequencing. Challenges included a lack of technical expertise, including in implementing novel diagnostic assays and sequencing, a lack of bioinformatics expertise in the region, and significant logistical and procurement challenges. The collaborative approach, coordinated through the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, enabled all 22 countries to achieve SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic capabilities, highlighting the pivotal role of laboratories in global health security.
      Competing Interests: All authors are employed by WHO/EMRO.
      (© 2024 World Health Organization; licensed by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
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    • Grant Information:
      001 International WHO_ World Health Organization
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: COVID‐19; Eastern Mediterranean Region; SARS‐CoV‐2; capacity building; laboratories; public health
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20240207 Date Completed: 20240208 Latest Revision: 20240420
    • Publication Date:
      20240420
    • Accession Number:
      PMC10844753
    • Accession Number:
      10.1111/irv.13225
    • Accession Number:
      38322196