Assessing infectious disease surveillance infrastructure in Equateur province, Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2022

Introduction: This study evaluates the infectious disease detection and surveillance infrastructure in Equateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, conducted as part of the Infectious Disease Detection and Surveillance (IDDS) project. The province, with a population of 2.8 million inhabitants spread over 132,518 km², faces numerous challenges due to its ecosystem, making it highly susceptible to outbreaks. The assessment, conducted from January 28 to February 04, 2023, aims to assess the functionality of the diagnostic network, specifically focusing on the capacity of the national public health laboratory in Mbandaka, sample transportation logistics, and opportunities for waste management. The assessment of the capacity of the Mbandaka public health laboratory to detect infectious diseases such as COVID-19, Ebola virus, yellow fever, and measles reveals its significance in epidemiological surveillance in Equateur Province.1. According to the World Health Organization guidelines, "laboratory biosafety is of crucial importance to ensure the safety of personnel and environmental protection when handling coronavirus samples.2 Results: Results indicate that the national public health laboratory in Mbandaka possesses equipment for analyzing various infectious diseases, including COVID-19, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), yellow fever, and measles. However, challenges such as a non-functional incinerator due to fuel shortages and difficulties in accessing health zones, predominantly accessible by river, hinder sample transportation and waste management efforts. Moreover, there is a lack of triple packaging materials for sample transportation and a need for training health workers on biosecurity protocols. To address these challenges, the study suggests potential solutions, such as utilizing drones for sample transportation to inaccessible health zones and improving collaboration between implementation partners and the Ministry of Health. Additionally, efforts should focus on enhancing communication infrastructure and securing fuel for laboratory operations. Conclusion: In conclusion, despite the existing challenges, the Mbandaka provincial public health laboratory demonstrates the capacity to support the response to certain epidemics in Equateur Province. However, addressing the identified weaknesses is crucial for enhancing infectious disease surveillance and response capabilities in the region.