Context Emerging viral infections (EVIs), including viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF) such as Lassa fever and Ebola virus disease, pose a serious threat to public health. Among others, this is because of their epidemic potential, limited treatment options, high mortality rates, and the lack of available and efficient vaccines. They have…
Context The COVID-19 pandemic and various other viral infectious disease outbreaks in recent years highlight the need for strong laboratory preparedness and capacities to ensure an effective national response to public health emergencies. The World Health Assembly has therefore made genomic surveillance a key priority because this technology offers a…
Context The project addresses the third United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (Good health and well-being), contributing to the fight against communicable diseases. In modern human medicine, the use of drugs is essential for the treatment of infectious diseases. However, many pathogens develop resistance to drugs through genetic adaptation, and this…
Context Many urgent threats to global health – such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and numerous emerging infectious diseases – require closer intersectoral collaboration and the implementation of a One Health approach in order to address them effectively. In Namibia, implementing a One Health approach has led to some initial success…
Context The emergence of COVID-19 revealed once more the delicate balance of the wildlife-human interface and the threat that zoonoses pose for global health. Early detection and effective risk communication systems can alert public health authorities in time to mitigate potential risks when pathogens jump from animals to humans. In…
Context The One Health approach acknowledges the interdependence and systematic linkages between the health of humans, animals and ecosystems and has gained significant recognition in recent years as an approach for tackling issues at the human-animal-environment interface. While evidence on the benefits of applying the One Health approach is accumulating,…
Context Lung diseases are an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Every year, approximately 10 million new cases of tuberculosis (TB) are recorded, resulting in approx.1.5 million deaths. (Multi-) drug-resistant strains further complicate global TB control and challenge the WHO’s goal to end the TB epidemic by 2030. Moreover,…
Context The availability, safety and quality of blood and blood products is an essential component of any health care system. The WHO has therefore listed them as essential medicines. Blood products are life-saving for many patients, in particular for women with pregnancy-related complications, children suffering from severe anaemia and people…
Context Vaccines remain the most effective tool for preventing infectious diseases and for improving global health. As only 1% of the vaccines needed in Africa are currently produced in Africa, the continent needs a robust vaccine industry. The COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, has highlighted the need for supranational structures to…