West African scientists sound alarm

Laboratory scientists gathered in Togo's capital are warning that health systems across West Africa are weakening and urging governments to strengthen disease outbreak detection.

Lessons from Ebola and COVID

The 2014 to 2016 Ebola outbreak killed at least 11,000 people across West Africa. Scientists say governments must cooperate to invest in diagnostic capacity and learn from past crises.

Anticipate outbreaks before they spread

Kossi Kabo, head of Togo's Association of Medical Biologists, says waiting for an epidemic to emerge means it's already too late. Detection systems must catch diseases early.

“We need to anticipate these outbreaks. We shouldn't wait for an epidemic to emerge somewhere before responding. By then, it would be too late.”

Current outbreaks show gaps

The Bundibugyo virus has killed over 3,600 people in Congo since May, with the Africa CDC estimating actual tolls are three times higher. The virus spread undetected for weeks.

Maintenance has waned without crisis

Scientists worry that without an active major outbreak threatening the region, governments have let health system maintenance slide, leaving them unprepared for future epidemics.

Invest in people and infrastructure

Arthur Bodurie Calvin Garber, president of Sierra Leone's Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists, says governments must fund trained personnel as much as equipment and facilities.