Assessment of National Public Health and Reference Laboratory, Accra, Ghana, within Framework of Global Health Security.

Adaeze Ogee-Nwankwo,Lia M Haynes,Mawuli Nyaku,Diane Waku-Kouomou,Laura Conklin,Gifty Boateng,Paul A Rota,Joseph P Icenogle,S Arunmozhi Balajee,David Opare

doi:10.3201/eid2313.170372

Abstract

The Second Year of Life project of the Global Health Security Agenda aims to improve immunization systems and strengthen measles and rubella surveillance, including building laboratory capacity. A new laboratory assessment tool was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assess the national laboratory in Ghana to improve molecular surveillance for measles and rubella. Results for the tool showed that the laboratory is well organized, has a good capacity for handling specimens, has a good biosafety system, and is proficient for diagnosis of measles and rubella by serologic analysis. However, there was little knowledge about molecular biology and virology activities (i.e., virus isolation on tissue culture was not available). Recommendations included training of technical personnel for molecular techniques and advocacy for funding for laboratory equipment, reagents, and supplies.

Highlights

To support the WHO/Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network (GMRLN) recommendations for measles and rubella surveillance, including virologic surveillance, the Measles and Rubella Global Specialized Laboratory (GSL) (Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA) supports laboratory capacity building in all WHO regions
We describe the new CDC International Measles and Rubella Laboratory Capacity Review tool and the results of the laboratory capacity assessment of the National Public Health and Reference Laboratory (NPHRL)
The NPHRL was proficient in serologic testing for measles and rubella because this laboratory passed its 2015 ELISA proficiency test as part of the GMRLN proficiency

Summary

Introduction

To support the WHO/GMRLN recommendations for measles and rubella surveillance, including virologic surveillance, the Measles and Rubella Global Specialized Laboratory (GSL) (Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA) supports laboratory capacity building in all WHO regions. There is currently no tool to assess the capacity of a laboratory, especially for measles and rubella surveillance or to compare different laboratories within the GMRLN.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion