Bissau: The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) has delivered laboratory equipment valued at approximately 1.51 million euros to Guinea-Bissau, aiming to bolster the nation’s disease detection capabilities and public health response.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, WAHO announced the donation in a post on its official X account on Thursday. The organisation highlighted that the equipment is intended to enhance the capacity of Guinea-Bissau’s National Public Health Laboratory. The equipment will play a vital role in improving diagnostics, disease surveillance, and the country’s ability to respond effectively to public health threats.
WAHO’s Director-General, Dr. Melchior Assi, officially handed over the equipment to Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Public Health, Commodore Dr. Quinhin Nantote. The ceremony was attended by the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Guinea-Bissau, Ambassador Ngozi Ukaeje, along with other health officials. The donation is part of Phase II of the Strengthening of Epidemiological Services and Health Systems in the ECOWAS Region (PROALAB) project.
The PROALAB project is financed by the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW Entwicklungsbank, with a focus on strengthening laboratory and epidemiological systems. Its initial component emphasizes reinforcing regional surveillance systems and laboratories through the procurement of equipment for reference laboratories.
According to WAHO, the procurement programme benefits five ECOWAS member states: Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and The Gambia. The equipment is set to enhance the National Public Health Laboratory’s operational and technical capacity in disease detection and confirmation, including PCR and immunological testing equipment to support advanced laboratory diagnosis and disease surveillance.
Additional supplies include general laboratory equipment, laboratory products, and materials necessary for routine diagnostic operations. Reagents and consumables have also been provided to ensure sustained laboratory testing and support the facility’s daily activities.
WAHO stated that this intervention is expected to strengthen Guinea-Bissau’s ability to detect, confirm, and monitor diseases through improved laboratory surveillance. The support is anticipated to contribute to sustainable national diagnostic capacity and improve preparedness for public health emergencies.