West African scientists warn of weakening health systems and urge stronger outbreak detection
West African laboratory scientists called on governments Friday to strengthen capacity to detect disease outbreaks to avoid another major outbreak, saying health systems across the region are becoming weaker.
West African laboratory scientists are warning that the region's health systems are weakening and calling for stronger outbreak detection measures. Gathering in Togo's capital, Lome, the scientists expressed concerns that health systems across the region are becoming less prepared to handle disease outbreaks. They emphasized the need for governments to cooperate in strengthening disease detection capabilities and investing in diagnostic capacities, drawing on lessons learned from past outbreaks such as Ebola and COVID-19.
The Ebola outbreak that occurred between 2014 and 2016 resulted in at least 11,000 deaths in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Kossi Kabo, head of the Association of Medical Biologists of Togo and co-chair of the congress, stressed the importance of anticipating outbreaks, stating that waiting for an epidemic to emerge before responding would be too late.
The region remains at risk for outbreaks, as evidenced by the recent deadly Ebola outbreak in the Congo and the detection of Hantavirus on a cruise ship off the coast of Cape Verde. Experts warn that the absence of a major outbreak has led to a decline in the maintenance of health systems, making them ill-prepared for future epidemics.
Arthur Bodurie, president of the Sierra Leone Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists, emphasized that governments must invest in both infrastructure and personnel to ensure readiness for potential outbreaks.
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