EAC-RNPHRL-CD Project Key Information

Title 

EAC Regional Network of β€―Public Health Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases (Mobile Laboratories Network)

Vision

An East African Community capable of rapidly diagnosing highly infectious diseases.

Goal

To strengthen diagnostic capacities of Partner States national public health reference laboratories to rapidly detect and respond to Communicable Diseases with potential for cross border outbreaks.

Key Objectives

Phase I: Strengthen laboratory capacities in all EAC Partner States to respond to pathogens of biosafety levels 3 and 4.

Phase II: Establish an EAC regional network of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and response.

Implementation Period

Start Date: 2017

End Date:  2024

Implementing Agencies and Development Partners

  • Project Executing Agency (PEA) - EAC Secretariat 
  • Financing Partner - German Development Bank (KfW)
  • Implementing partners - Partner States' National Public Health Reference Laboratories
  • Technical consultant - Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM)
  • Procurement Consultants - GOPA Infra (Phase I) and GFA (Phase II)

 

Implementation Strategy

  • Procurement of fully equipped mobile laboratory units,
  • Training of laboratory experts,
  • Provision of technical assistance on laboratory diagnostics, and
  • Harmonization of laboratory policies, guidelines & procedures

Key Achievements 

  • Procured  and deployed nine (9) mobile laboratory units including 18 vehicles to the Partner States (phase I), additional procurement of six (6) mobile container laboratories is ongoing for antimicrobial resistance
  • Trained about 250 pool of laboratory experts, biomedical engineers, drivers and ICT experts,
  • Provided technical support during responses to disease outbreaks such as Ebola, Rift Valley Fever, dengue, Covid-19 etc, and
  • Coordinated several regional policy dialogues through biannual meetings of the Expert Working Group (EWG) and Regional Steering Committee (RSC).

Key Challenges 

  • The expanding geography of the EAC region calls for more investment in laboratory diagnostic capabilities

Key Recommendations

  • Develop a comprehensive strategy for resource mobilization and expansion of the EAC regional Network of public health reference laboratories.

East African Community
EAC Close
Afrika Mashariki Road
P.O. Box 1096
Arusha
United Republic of Tanzania

Tel: +255 (0)27 216 2100
Fax: +255 (0)27 216 2190
Email: eac@eachq.org