Guinea-Bissau receives 1.5 million euros in laboratory equipment

The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) has officially handed over laboratory equipment to the government of Guinea-Bissau to bolster the nation's epidemiological surveillance and health systems. The equipment, valued at approximately 1.5 million euros, was provided through the Strengthening of Epidemiological Services and Health Systems in the ECOWAS Region (PROALAB) project.

Funded by Germany via KfW Entwicklungsbank, the initiative aims to enhance the technical capacity of the National Public Health Laboratory. The provided resources include PCR and immunological testing equipment, general laboratory supplies, and reagents. These tools are intended to improve diagnostic capabilities and the country's ability to respond to public health threats.

The handover ceremony was attended by WAHO Director-General Dr. Melchior Aïssi and Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Public Health, Commodore Dr. Quinhin Nantote. This project is part of a broader regional effort to strengthen reference laboratories across five ECOWAS countries: Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and The Gambia.