Context Despite significant progress in immunisation coverage in recent decades, the objectives of many Global Vaccine Action Plans have not been met. For many countries, the COVID-19 pandemic was a further impediment to achieving their target vaccination coverage, as they had to shift their focus to the introduction of COVID-19…
Context The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the need to increase laboratory capacities in many countries, including the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe. Since 2020, the BNITM has been supporting the country’s Ministry of Health in implementing laboratory diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2 under the SToP-CoV project. Nevertheless, there is still room…
Context Under the International Health Regulations (2005), all WHO Member States are committed to strengthening their capacities to respond effectively to public health crises. SEAR Member States are frequently subject to climate- and infectious disease-related health crises. Health emergency operations centres (HEOCs) play a crucial role in responding…
Context Madagascar is facing significant challenges in its health care system, due to the high prevalence of infectious diseases in the country, particularly neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Many of these diseases occur simultaneously and have chronic manifestations, imposing a huge burden on the population. It is therefore vitally important to…
Context Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem that jeopardises the successful treatment and control of infectious diseases. Each year, millions of people – particularly children under the age of five who are the most vulnerable to resistant pathogens – die of AMR-related infections. Effective surveillance systems are key to…
Context Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 in 2021, Ebola virus disease in 2014 and human Mpox in 2023, pose a great threat to the global community not only from a public health perspective, but also from an economic and social standpoint. Furthermore, the changing climate and the…
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…