The Yearly Tuberculosis (TB) Laboratory Project workshop with National TB Reference Laboratory supervisors from 23 nations in West and Central Africa, 11-13 December 2023.The primary goal was to analyze activities performed within the structure of the TB Laboratory task.
TB Laboratory job is a job started in 2019 and moneyed by the Global Fund versus HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GF), collaborated by the WHO-TB Supranational Reference Laboratory of Cotonou in Benin (SRL Benin). The workshop was supported by WHO/TDR, the West African Regional Network for Tuberculosis Control (WARN-TB), and the Central African Regional Network for TB Control (CARN-TB). National TB Programme and National TB Reference labs from 23 African nations got involved[1]
TB Laboratory job remains in stage 2 of the execution, beginning in 2022-2024. The workshop was arranged with a concentrate on the 2022 efficiency structure of the TB Laboratory job, the introduction of the activities performed in 2023, accomplishments, difficulties and the scheduled activities for 2024.
Nation agents were upgraded on the current WHO standards and tools and their effect on TB medical diagnosis in Africa. Countries shared experience in performing Drug Resistance Surveys of TB (consisting of functional research study) and carrying out Quality Management (QMS) towards ISO 1519 accreditation. The National TB Reference Laboratory (NTRL) of Cameroon was praised for attaining the ISO 15189 accreditation. Lessons gained from 5 years of the TB Laboratory task application and point of views have actually been shared and gone over.
Amongst developments brought by the TB Laboratory task, there are 1) incorporated sample transport systems and 2) devices upkeep as services that will enhance TB case detection in West and Central African nations and be impactful for the TB Programmes.
The absence of moneying to sustain the task beyond 2024 has actually been revealed as a big obstacle calling for the GF and partners to increase moneying to make the TB Laboratory network totally running to fulfill the End TB Strategy turning points and targets. The SRL Benin will have its financing from the GF slashed to 0.9 US$ mio for the next 3 years, less than one-sixth of the previous quantity, which is a huge cut (versus 6 US$ mio for 2022-2024).
WHO/AFRO/UCN to promote for more financing for the SRL Benin beyond 2024 enabling the TB Laboratory task to continue.
[1] Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Central Africa Republic, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Chad and Togo