Date: April 2025 – December 2025
Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, Togo
IQLS implemented the Bacterial Meningitis Diagnostics– Country Readiness Assessment on behalf of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the WHO. Bacterial meningitis in Africa is a major public health challenge with periodic epidemics. Countries are facing diagnostic challenges, such as limited laboratory capacity and confirmatory testing of the agent. There is a need to understand in detail the diagnostic testing capacities in the countries in order to prioritize and develop strategies.
The project aimed to strenghen bacterial meningitis diagnostic capacity to support the Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis by 2030. IQLS led the technical design and coordination of assessments across 14 African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Togo. The assessments concerned meningitis laboratory networks and national reference laboratories. It was carried out through a document review and a specifically designed data collection tool. The process included the development of standardized assessment tools, preparatory meetings and in-country assessment using semi-structured interview with key stakeholders.
At the end of the assessment, IQLS supported the organization of two webinars (in French and in English) to share the assessment results with all stakeholders. The project resulted in a comprehensive regional synthesis and country-level action plans to enhance meningitis diagnostic networks, surveillance, and response mechanisms across the African region.
