Africa Public Health Foundation (APHF) attended the Biobanking Network workshop in Lusaka, Zambia, an activity under the Rockefeller grant in supporting the workshop logistics. The workshop’s overall objective was to operationalize the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Biobanking network manual and to strengthen the Biobank network in Africa. The workshop which had 30 participants from different centers of excellence in nine-member state countries (Zambia, Senegal, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Gabon, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire) was officiated by the Health Advisor to the President and Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) Director General Prof. Roma Chilengi alongside Africa CDC Southern Africa Regional Collaborating Centre (RCC) Coordinator Dr. Lul Riek at the Biobanking Network meeting at Taj Pamodzi Hotel, Lusaka.
Outbreaks of infectious diseases are occurring with increasing frequency and unpredictability. The rapid development and deployment of diagnostics that can accurately and quickly identify pathogens as part of epidemic preparedness is essential, including now for the COVID-19 pandemic. To accelerate access to quality-assured diagnostics in African nations, the Africa CDC has launched the African Collaborative Initiative to Advance Diagnostics (AFCAD). Under the initiative, Africa CDC proposes to build on existing structures to establish a network of biobanks that facilitate and accelerate the development, evaluation and research on the diagnostics required for disease control and prevention programmes in the region.
Prof. Chilengi emphasized, “The rapid development and deployment of diagnostics that can accurately and quickly identify pathogens are essential for epidemic preparedness and the time is now.”
The workshop entailed understanding the role of biobanking in accelerating access to diagnostics, getting feedback on the regional and country experiences in biobanking, discussing the key elements of the Africa CDC Biobanking network manual, and agreeing on the way forward.
Dr. Lul added, “One lesson learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic is that there is no substitution for working in partnerships, coordination and provision of effective leadership. The Africa CDC Pathogen Genomics Initiative (PGI) achieved outstanding results because countries have chosen to work together instead of working against themselves.”
It was noted that there was a need for networking and each country had different needs. Different countries had different
needs such as laboratory information systems, equipment, capacity building and guidelines. Thus it was necessary to harmonize guidelines, standards and procedures across the continent.
Moving forward, it was agreed that a network should be formed with a representative member from each country. The Africa CDC Biobank Network will be governed by a Steering Committee coordinated by the head of Laboratory Division at the Africa CDC or a delegate and can include interested members of the Africa CDC Laboratory Working Group. The Steering Committee will decide on the guiding principles for the Africa CDC biobank network, pathogen priorities for biobanking, a mechanism for site application and selection, and ensure that network specimens are used in accordance with the guiding principles. Other resolutions include creation of a list of priority pathogens, setting standards, guidelines, certification and quality requirements for biobanks, and resource mobilization.
