# West Africa's health systems weakening, scientists warn

> Laboratory scientists in Togo call for stronger disease detection capacity across West Africa to prevent future outbreaks.
- Title: West Africa's health systems weakening, scientists warn
- Summary: Laboratory scientists in Togo call for stronger disease detection capacity across West Africa to prevent future outbreaks. West African governments must…
- Keywords: west africa, disease detection, health systems, ebola, covid-19, togo, laboratory scientists, outbreak preparedness, diagnostic capacity, bundibugyo virus, congo, epidemic prevention
- Source: ABC News — https://abcnews.com/Health/wireStory/west-african-scientists-warn-weakening-health-systems-urge-136574739
- Author: ABC News
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: west africa, disease detection, health systems, ebola, covid-19, togo, laboratory scientists, outbreak preparedness, diagnostic capacity, bundibugyo virus, congo, epidemic prevention
## 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.
## Key takeaway

West African governments must invest now in disease detection and diagnostic capacity, or risk being unprepared for the next major outbreak.