Towards equitable access to public health pathogen genomics in the Western Pacific

Lin, Chantel; Silva, Endang da; Sahukhan, Aalisha; Palou, Theresa; Buadromo, Eka; Hoang, Tuyet; Howden, Benjamin P

doi:10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100321

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The strong collaborations between the Timor-Leste Government and international development partners have resulted in extended molecular testing capability which has the potential to include multiple respiratory pathogens, stool, blood, genital, and cerebrospinal fluid panels. Through smart investment, management, procurement and targeted funding channeling, the throughput has increased, and there are reasonable indications that the improvements will be sustained, 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 supporting high-quality molecular testing in Timor-Leste. There is ongoing collaborative work underway to establish dengue and malaria PCR testing capability to support outbreak control and elimination efforts, respectively.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The COVID-19 laboratory response in Timor-Leste: a story of collaboration

Sarmento¹,

Silva²,

Barreto³

et al. 2023

The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The COVID-19 laboratory response in Timor-Leste: a story of collaboration

Sarmento¹,

Silva²,

Barreto³

et al. 2023

The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia

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“…Our work is significant not only for the ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and the emergence of mutants but also for its use in other important endemic, epidemic, and emerging infections. [ 47 ] Prior to the implementation of genomic surveillance in the country, we already were detecting variants using published methods (Yale and Emory methods (RT-PCR)) and reporting our results of the identified variants entering the country to the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare. With the expertise gained, the equipment obtained, and a dynamic collaboration with our international peers, our COVID-Lab continues to study the evolution and emergence of mutants and keep abreast of the latest development in the field.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Experience of Testing for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) at a Single Diagnostic Center in Paraguay before the Introduction of Vaccination

del-Puerto,

Rojas,

Díaz Acosta

et al. 2023

Viruses

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Soon after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Institute for Health Sciences Research (IICS) of the National University of Asunción, Paraguay became a testing laboratory (COVID-Lab) for SARS-CoV-2. The COVID-Lab testing performance was assessed from 1 April 2020 to 12 May 2021. The effect of the pandemic on the IICS and how the COVID-Lab contributed to the academic and research activities of the institute were also assessed. IICS researchers and staff adjusted their work schedules to support the COVID-Lab. Of the 13,082 nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs processed, 2704 (20.7%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. Of the individuals testing positive, 55.4% were female and 48.3% were aged 21–40 years. Challenges faced by the COVID-Lab were unstable reagent access and insufficient staff; shifting obligations regarding research, academic instruction, and grantsmanship; and the continuous demands from the public for information on COVID-19. The IICS provided essential testing and reported on the progress of the pandemic. IICS researchers gained better laboratory equipment and expertise in molecular SARS-CoV-2 testing but struggled to manage their conflicting educational and additional research obligations during the pandemic, which affected their productivity. Therefore, policies protecting the time and resources of the faculty and staff engaged in pandemic-related work or research are necessary components of healthcare emergency preparedness.

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“…This will likely require increases in local investments for public health initiatives [108,121,123], as well as continued support through international public-private partnerships, such as the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative. Fortunately, there are many existing regional centers of excellence and support networks that can help, not only to establish new sequencing centers, but also to provide the ongoing support needed to sustain and grow these programs [123][124][125].…”

Section: The Future Of Genomic Surveillancementioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a post-pandemic future for global pathogen genome sequencing

Ladner,

Sahl

2023

PLoS Biol

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Pathogen genome sequencing has become a routine part of our response to active outbreaks of infectious disease and should be an important part of our preparations for future epidemics. In this Essay, we discuss the innovations that have enabled routine pathogen genome sequencing, as well as how genome sequences can be used to understand and control the spread of infectious disease. We also explore the impact of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic on the field of pathogen genomics and outline the challenges we must address to further improve the utility of pathogen genome sequencing in the future.

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Towards equitable access to public health pathogen genomics in the Western Pacific

Cited by 6 publications

References 12 publications

The COVID-19 laboratory response in Timor-Leste: a story of collaboration

The COVID-19 laboratory response in Timor-Leste: a story of collaboration

The Experience of Testing for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) at a Single Diagnostic Center in Paraguay before the Introduction of Vaccination

Towards a post-pandemic future for global pathogen genome sequencing

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