ISSN: 2639-2038
Authors: Adebisi YA*, Rabe A, Alaran AJ, Babatunde AO, Uzairue LI and Lucero Prisno DE
Introduction: Laboratory testing plays a crucial role in response to infectious diseases outbreaks, including the on-going global COVID-19 pandemic. Herein, we assessed the laboratory testing capacity of 13 African countries and identify the challenges they face surrounding COVID-19 testing. Method: We conducted a comprehensive narrative review of scholarly literature published between January 2020 and August 2021 in PubMed, Medline, ScienceDirect, PubMed Central, and Google Scholar to assess laboratory testing capacity and associated challenges in 13 African countries prioritized by the World Health Organization i.e., Mauritius, Algeria, Nigeria, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, and Uganda. Supplementary data were also gathered from country reports, WHO reports, websites of key organizations, policy brief, newsletter, and other reports as well as through systematic google search. We also reviewed reference lists of relevant sources to gather data for the study. Result: The 13 African countries have ramped up COVID-19 testing using Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction, the gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis, and other laboratory testing methods. With respect to the population size, Mauritius had conducted the highest number of COVID-19 tests while, South Africa conducted the highest number of tests among the countries. However, most African countries included had low testing capacity relative to their population size. Some of the challenges identified included inadequate test kits and other logistical constraints, weak surveillance systems, difficulty in transporting test samples, a dearth of human resources, and poor management of laboratory data. Conclusion: This study revealed that there is low laboratory testing capacity in the selected African countries. Laboratory response to COVID-19 has multiple challenges. There is a need to invest in strengthening infectious diseases laboratory systems in Africa.
Keywords: COVID-19; Laboratory Testing Capacity; Public Health; Global Health, Africa
