ArticleJournal of epidemiology and global health2025
Laboratory capacity-building during COVID-19 in Somalia: improving access to essential diagnostics for national health security in a fragile setting.
Article in Journal of epidemiology and global health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Operationalizing public health emergency operations centers in Somalia: a scoping review of challenges and strategies.Tropical medicine and health · 2026Review
- Antimicrobial Resistance in Somalia: Surveillance Gaps, Stewardship Barriers, and One Health Priorities.Infection and drug resistance · 2026Review
- Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in Somalia: A systematic review.IJID regions · 2025Review
- Strengthening Somalia's health system: pathways to achieving International Health Regulations core capacities at points of entry by 2025.Tropical medicine and health · 2025Review
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Authors and funding
14 authors.
Funding
Abstract
introductionEven before the COVID-19 pandemic, Somalia's national laboratory services had insufficient diagnostic capacities. We describe how the country moved rapidly from no testing capability to molecular testing and genomic sequencing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other pathogens.
methodsWe reviewed primary sources information as well as data and records from secondary sources from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2023. We also analyzed laboratory surveillance data of cases of COVID-19 and other epidemic diseases reported during the same period and the number of laboratory tests performed during the same period. We used this information to demonstrate improvements in laboratory diagnostic capacity in Somalia before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
resultsThe country was able to rapidly scale up testing for SARS-CoV-2 using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays. At the same time, other innovative solutions were used for testing, such as repurposing tuberculosis GeneXpert diagnostic platforms to increase access to testing at points-of-care and introducing antigen rapid diagnostic tests for hard-to-reach communities. Somalia also acquired new generation sequencing capability for detection and characterization of circulating SARS-CoV-2. These laboratory and testing enhancements have enabled Somalia to participate in surveillance for priority diseases and detection of outbreaks caused by emerging pathogens.
conclusionSomalia's strategic approach to COVID-19 is an inspiring example of resilience and adaptability. Utilizing resources, technology and lessons from COVID-19 enabled the country to increase and improve laboratory services, expand testing capacity, and strengthen workforce capability. As such, Somalia can now better respond to other infectious disease threats and has significantly improved national health security.
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