Disease surveillance officers and Veterinarians in the Ashanti Region have completed sample management training with G-WAC Virology and Diagnostic Group. 

The workshop aimed to equip participants with relevant skills and information to develop and understand a system for managing samples during an outbreak of diseases. 

The 3-day workshop provided participants with insights into public health surveillance, role of human and veterinary laboratories in outbreak investigations and sample management. 

The training was in collaboration with the Centre for Capacity Building and Innovation, the Department of Medical Diagnostic (KNUST), and the Ghana Health Service. 

Addressing participants at the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR), Director of Public Health, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe urged them to employ a holistic detection approach for a sensitive surveillance system. 

He stressed on the effective interplay of laboratory and surveillance network tailored in the fight against future pandemics.

“As we practice the one health system, it would be necessary that we bring the clinicians, laboratory workers, public health and the rest together so that we brainstorm to tailor our activities towards an outbreak so we don’t miss anything during the course of our work,” he said. 

Dean of School of Veterinary Medicine, KNUST, Professor Benjamin Emekpe underscored the need for collaborative efforts between human and veterinary laboratories as zoonotic diseases continue to prevail.

“As zoonoses still remain a problem, there is the need for training of experts in the areas of diagnosis, public health, international trade. 

“Also, collaboration and sharing of data between human and veterinary laboratories should be encouraged,” he said. 

Dr. Michael Owusu, a virologist at KCCR, is expectant the training would equip participants with requisite skills for handling and transporting samples. 

“By the end of the workshop, we are hoping that participants will be abreast with skills in collecting, handling, and transporting of samples,” he said.