WHO and RKI empower integrated genomic surveillance in Côte d’Ivoire

Discussing steps necessary for integrating genomic data into the current surveillance system in Côte d’Ivoire. Photo: RKI

Funded by the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin, the project “Strengthen Integrated Genomic Surveillance through Greater Capacities in Nati­onal Public Health Institutes” is set to improve public health decision-making on both national and international levels. The project team works with designated partner countries on the African continent and their National Public Health Institutes to build national capacity for integrated genomic surveillance. This includes training activities on surveillance, genome sequencing and the associated bioinformatics data analysis, as well as strengthening networking between the areas and institutions involved.

In February 2024, researchers from the Centre for International Health Protection at the RKI joined forces with the Ivorian National Institute for Public Hygiene to gather representatives from Ivorian and international research institutions and stakeholders across the human, ani­mal, and One Health sectors in Côte d’Ivoire. Represented at the meeting in Abidjan were also the National Public Health Laboratory, the National Institute for Public Health, the Institute Pasteur Abidjan, four university teaching hospitals, the National Veterinary Service, the One Health Platform Côte d’Ivoire, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from the US, the World Health Organization, and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Group photo of the stakeholder meeting on integrated genomic surveillance in Côte d’Ivoire. Photo: RKI

Among others, the Centre Hospi­talier et Universitaire de Bouaké showcased its past, ongoing, and future genomic activities. This pre­sentation underscored the longstanding collaboration between RKI and the Ivorian university hospital. During panel discussions, stakeholders addressed several key questions including the current role of genomic (or laboratory) data in decision-making in Côte d’Ivoire and common challenges at the national level. Furthermore, the participants brought up most pressing issues that Côte d’Ivoire should prioritise to strengthen pathogen genomic surveillance.

World café groups identified training requirements and strategies for en­hancing collaboration among various fields including laboratory diagnostics, epidemiology, and policyma­kers. A key result of the meeting will be a policy brief addressed to the Ivorian Ministry of Health. This document will advocate for establishing a formal national policy on genomic surveillance and for creating a dedicated platform for exchanging information among sequencing laboratories.

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