Laboratory capacity-building during COVID-19 in Somalia: improving access to essential diagnostics for national health security in a fragile setting
Abstract Introduction Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Somalia’s national laboratory services had insufficient diagnostic capacities. We describe how the country moved rapidly from no testing capability to molecular testing and genomic sequencing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-025-00350-9 |
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| author | Salvador Figuereo Sahra Isse Mohamed Desalegn Takele Abdulrahman M. Sheikh Solomon Chane Abera Ayni Muhiadin Mohamed Mutaawe Lubogo Hassan Mukhtar Abukar Mary Joan Karanja Sulaiman Bangura Antoine Abou Fayad Ali Haji Adam Abdinasir Yusuf Osman Sk Md Mamunur Rahman Malik |
| author_facet | Salvador Figuereo Sahra Isse Mohamed Desalegn Takele Abdulrahman M. Sheikh Solomon Chane Abera Ayni Muhiadin Mohamed Mutaawe Lubogo Hassan Mukhtar Abukar Mary Joan Karanja Sulaiman Bangura Antoine Abou Fayad Ali Haji Adam Abdinasir Yusuf Osman Sk Md Mamunur Rahman Malik |
| author_sort | Salvador Figuereo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Somalia’s national laboratory services had insufficient diagnostic capacities. We describe how the country moved rapidly from no testing capability to molecular testing and genomic sequencing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other pathogens. Methods We reviewed primary sources information as well as data and records from secondary sources from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2023. We also analyzed laboratory surveillance data of cases of COVID-19 and other epidemic diseases reported during the same period and the number of laboratory tests performed during the same period. We used this information to demonstrate improvements in laboratory diagnostic capacity in Somalia before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Results The country was able to rapidly scale up testing for SARS-CoV-2 using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays. At the same time, other innovative solutions were used for testing, such as repurposing tuberculosis GeneXpert diagnostic platforms to increase access to testing at points-of-care and introducing antigen rapid diagnostic tests for hard-to-reach communities. Somalia also acquired new generation sequencing capability for detection and characterization of circulating SARS-CoV-2. These laboratory and testing enhancements have enabled Somalia to participate in surveillance for priority diseases and detection of outbreaks caused by emerging pathogens. Conclusion Somalia’s strategic approach to COVID-19 is an inspiring example of resilience and adaptability. Utilizing resources, technology and lessons from COVID-19 enabled the country to increase and improve laboratory services, expand testing capacity, and strengthen workforce capability. As such, Somalia can now better respond to other infectious disease threats and has significantly improved national health security. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f6bd9fc8a72f49599ab2f88af3176ded |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2210-6014 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-f6bd9fc8a72f49599ab2f88af3176ded2025-02-09T12:09:49ZengSpringerJournal of Epidemiology and Global Health2210-60142025-02-0115111410.1007/s44197-025-00350-9Laboratory capacity-building during COVID-19 in Somalia: improving access to essential diagnostics for national health security in a fragile settingSalvador Figuereo0Sahra Isse Mohamed1Desalegn Takele2Abdulrahman M. Sheikh3Solomon Chane Abera4Ayni Muhiadin Mohamed5Mutaawe Lubogo6Hassan Mukhtar Abukar7Mary Joan Karanja8Sulaiman Bangura9Antoine Abou Fayad10Ali Haji Adam11Abdinasir Yusuf Osman12Sk Md Mamunur Rahman Malik13World Health Organization, Somalia Country OfficeNational Public Health Reference LaboratoryWorld Health Organization, Somalia Country OfficeNational Public Health Reference LaboratoryWorld Health Organization, Somalia Country OfficeNational Public Health Reference LaboratoryWorld Health Organization, Somalia Country OfficeNational Public Health Reference LaboratoryWorld Health Organization, Somalia Country OfficeWorld Health Organization, Somalia Country OfficeDepartment of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of BeirutMinistry of HealthMinistry of HealthWorld Health Organization, Regional Office for the Eastern MediterraneanAbstract Introduction Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Somalia’s national laboratory services had insufficient diagnostic capacities. We describe how the country moved rapidly from no testing capability to molecular testing and genomic sequencing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other pathogens. Methods We reviewed primary sources information as well as data and records from secondary sources from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2023. We also analyzed laboratory surveillance data of cases of COVID-19 and other epidemic diseases reported during the same period and the number of laboratory tests performed during the same period. We used this information to demonstrate improvements in laboratory diagnostic capacity in Somalia before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Results The country was able to rapidly scale up testing for SARS-CoV-2 using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays. At the same time, other innovative solutions were used for testing, such as repurposing tuberculosis GeneXpert diagnostic platforms to increase access to testing at points-of-care and introducing antigen rapid diagnostic tests for hard-to-reach communities. Somalia also acquired new generation sequencing capability for detection and characterization of circulating SARS-CoV-2. These laboratory and testing enhancements have enabled Somalia to participate in surveillance for priority diseases and detection of outbreaks caused by emerging pathogens. Conclusion Somalia’s strategic approach to COVID-19 is an inspiring example of resilience and adaptability. Utilizing resources, technology and lessons from COVID-19 enabled the country to increase and improve laboratory services, expand testing capacity, and strengthen workforce capability. As such, Somalia can now better respond to other infectious disease threats and has significantly improved national health security.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-025-00350-9COVID-19Laboratory capacityTestingGenome sequencingSomalia |
| spellingShingle | Salvador Figuereo Sahra Isse Mohamed Desalegn Takele Abdulrahman M. Sheikh Solomon Chane Abera Ayni Muhiadin Mohamed Mutaawe Lubogo Hassan Mukhtar Abukar Mary Joan Karanja Sulaiman Bangura Antoine Abou Fayad Ali Haji Adam Abdinasir Yusuf Osman Sk Md Mamunur Rahman Malik Laboratory capacity-building during COVID-19 in Somalia: improving access to essential diagnostics for national health security in a fragile setting Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health COVID-19 Laboratory capacity Testing Genome sequencing Somalia |
| title | Laboratory capacity-building during COVID-19 in Somalia: improving access to essential diagnostics for national health security in a fragile setting |
| title_full | Laboratory capacity-building during COVID-19 in Somalia: improving access to essential diagnostics for national health security in a fragile setting |
| title_fullStr | Laboratory capacity-building during COVID-19 in Somalia: improving access to essential diagnostics for national health security in a fragile setting |
| title_full_unstemmed | Laboratory capacity-building during COVID-19 in Somalia: improving access to essential diagnostics for national health security in a fragile setting |
| title_short | Laboratory capacity-building during COVID-19 in Somalia: improving access to essential diagnostics for national health security in a fragile setting |
| title_sort | laboratory capacity building during covid 19 in somalia improving access to essential diagnostics for national health security in a fragile setting |
| topic | COVID-19 Laboratory capacity Testing Genome sequencing Somalia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-025-00350-9 |
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