BMC Proceedings · Published 2026-06-08 · DOI 10.1186/s12919-026-00382-4
Harris Onywera, Richard Njouom, Dorcas Waruguru Wanjohi, Jackson Peter Claver Mushumbusi, Abdou Moindze, Abebaw Kebede, Alisen Ayitewala, Ambele Eliah Mwafulango, Anne von Gottberg, Collins Kipngetich Tanui, Euniverse Shikaseba, Fahima Moosa, Felix Koukouikila-Koussounda, Ibrehima Guindo, Isaac Ssewanyana, Joseph Bitilinyu-Bangoh, Joseph Nyandwi, Kedibone Maria Ndlangisa, Klèma Marcel Koné, Mignon du Plessis, Mirriam Ethel Nyenje, Moussa M. Diagne, Natalie T. Mayet, Nebiyu Dereje, Noumou Yakhouba Keita, Ouindgueta Juste Isidore Bonkoungou, Placide Mbala, Prince Akil-Bandali, René Ghislain Essomba, Roch Fabien Niama, Roma Chilengi, Sarah Mwangi, Seydou Barro, Sikhulile Moyo, Susan N. Nabadda, Talkmore Maruta, Tonny Muyigi, Valentina J. Ngo Bitoungui, Umar Ahmad, Vindana Chibabhai, Winnie Kwamboka Mokaya, Youssouf Tadjidine, Sofonias K. Tessema, Jean Kaseya, Yenew Kebede Tebeje
Abstract Africa bears a disproportionate burden of infectious disease outbreaks and antimicrobial resistance, compounded by weaknesses in public health laboratory systems. In line with its mandate to safeguard public health, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) supports its Member States in strengthening public health laboratory capacity. However, gaps in laboratory leadership continue to threaten the resilience and sustainability of these systems. To address this need, Africa CDC convened a Laboratory Leadership Workshop under the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Africa PGI) – DETECT Project from 27–29 August 2025 in Mombasa, Kenya. The meeting brought together 24 heads of public health and reference laboratories and senior technical experts from 15 Member States. Combining expert presentations, country case studies, and roundtable discussions, participants examined system-level challenges affecting laboratory performance. Workshop proceedings were synthesized according to the predefined thematic areas that guided the workshop discussions, drawing on rapporteurs’ reports and validated through participant review. Key issues included overreliance on external funding, fragile procurement and supply chains, limited equipment servicing, weak sample referral networks, fragmented data systems, and inadequate contingency planning. Comparative country experiences showed that stronger domestic financing and institutionalized leadership structures were linked to greater operational continuity. Emerging innovations such as hybrid decentralization of diagnostic services and integrated sample referral networks were discussed, with success contingent on strengthened leadership in strategic planning, resource mobilization, and cross-sector coordination. The workshop identified cross-cutting priorities, including financial independence, sustainable equipment servicing, quality management, One Health-aligned digital interoperability, and leadership networks for building resilient systems. The meeting concluded that beyond infrastructure, Africa’s epidemic preparedness depends on empowered and committed leaders capable of overcoming challenges to steer resilient and sustainable laboratory systems.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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Onywera, H., Njouom, R., Wanjohi, D., et al. (2026). The need to strengthen laboratory leadership, systems, and networks to enhance outbreak detection and resilience in Africa: proceedings of a regional workshop. BMC Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12919-026-00382-4