Laboratory capacity in COVID-19 diagnosis and the need to enhance molecular testing in Ghana

Godfred Acheampong, M. Owusu, B. Nkrumah, Priscilla Obeng-Boadi, D. Opare, David Sambian, P. Angra, C. Walker
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引用次数: 6

Abstract

ABSTRACT COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented threat to both public health and the global economy. In an effort to manage and contain this pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has prioritised laboratory testing (https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19—16-march-2020). We examine the testing capacity of the laboratory system in Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to WHO, gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis is real-time reverse-transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). However, this molecular technique is not widely used in Ghana for disease diagnosis because of lack of infrastructure, lack of trained laboratory staff, high maintenance cost, and scarcity of reagents. Ghana has a three-tier health delivery system, with limited molecular diagnostic capacity. Three of the four public health laboratories (PHLs) have the capacity to perform molecular diagnosis of certain diseases. There are two main biomedical research institutions that are well-equipped to perform various molecular diagnostic tests. Nonetheless, their testing capacity is significantly limited in critical situations such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to testing backlogs and delays in returning test results at early stages of the pandemic. In an effort to address this situation, capacities of PHLs and nonclinical laboratories have been increased. Plans to use GeneXpert platform in certain areas of the country have been instituted in sixteen facilities, following system upgrades, risk assessments, and quality-checks. Enhanced molecular diagnostic testing in Ghana will help ensure a swift, accurate, and timely response to COVID-19 and future outbreaks. The data gained from these testing improvements may also help stimulate a robust bioeconomy because they can be used to improve the health of Ghanaians, as well as increase productivity through the implementation of data-driven and evidence-based policies. As outlined in WHO’s Joint External Evaluation report for Ghana, the country faces several challenges, including the need to build strong laboratory systems and capacities that connect disease-specific areas.
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加纳COVID-19诊断的实验室能力和加强分子检测的必要性
新冠肺炎大流行对公共卫生和全球经济构成了前所未有的威胁。为了管理和控制这一流行病,世界卫生组织(世卫组织)已优先考虑实验室检测(https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19 -2020年3月16日)。我们检查了2019冠状病毒病大流行期间加纳实验室系统的检测能力。世卫组织表示,实时逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)是COVID-19诊断的金标准。然而,由于缺乏基础设施、缺乏训练有素的实验室工作人员、维护成本高和试剂稀缺,这种分子技术在加纳没有广泛用于疾病诊断。加纳有三级卫生服务体系,分子诊断能力有限。4个公共卫生实验室中有3个具备对某些疾病进行分子诊断的能力。有两个主要的生物医学研究机构设备齐全,可以进行各种分子诊断试验。然而,在当前COVID-19大流行等危急情况下,它们的检测能力明显有限,这导致在大流行的早期阶段出现检测积压和返回检测结果的延迟。为了解决这一问题,已经提高了ph和非临床实验室的能力。在系统升级、风险评估和质量检查之后,已在该国某些地区的16个设施中制定了使用GeneXpert平台的计划。加纳加强分子诊断检测将有助于确保对COVID-19和未来疫情做出迅速、准确和及时的反应。从这些测试改进中获得的数据也可能有助于刺激强劲的生物经济,因为它们可用于改善加纳人的健康,并通过实施数据驱动和循证政策来提高生产力。正如世卫组织关于加纳的联合外部评估报告所概述的那样,该国面临若干挑战,包括需要建立强大的实验室系统和连接特定疾病领域的能力。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
3.50
自引率
0.00%
发文量
7
审稿时长
22 weeks
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