Half of approved diagnostics for Africa’s priority epidemic diseases unavailable at primary healthcare level – Report

A significant gap exists in Africa's primary healthcare system, with half of the approved diagnostic tools for priority epidemic diseases being unavailable at the frontline level, according to a recent report. This critical shortage affects diagnostics for diseases such as Mpox, dengue, cholera, bacterial meningitis, malaria, and Ebola.

The report highlights that these essential diagnostics often depend on sophisticated laboratory facilities. Many primary healthcare centers, particularly in remote or underserved areas, lack the necessary infrastructure and equipment to perform these tests. This dependency creates a barrier to timely and accurate diagnosis for patients seeking care.

The unavailability of these diagnostics at the primary level has profound implications for disease surveillance, outbreak response, and patient outcomes across the continent. It underscores the urgent need for investment in healthcare infrastructure and the development of point-of-care diagnostic solutions that can function effectively in resource-limited settings.