The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) convened the 5th Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Project for Strengthening Epidemiological Surveillance and Laboratory Systems in West Africa (PROALAB) on 28 January 2026 in Cotonou, bringing together senior representatives from ECOWAS Member States, national laboratory directors, technical partners and donors.
Opening the meeting, Ms Stéphanie Kursten Camara, Director of KfW in Benin, commended the strong partnership with WAHO and highlighted the strategic importance of laboratory systems in strengthening health security. She praised Member States for their commitment to implementing PROALAB activities and underscored the Steering Committee’s critical role in guiding the project’s impact and sustainability.
During the meeting, participants reviewed and validated the Technical Committee report, assessed the implementation of recommendations from the previous Steering Committee meeting, and agreed on new strategic orientations to accelerate project implementation and maximise benefits for beneficiary countries.
Closing the meeting, Dr Melchior Athanase J. C. AÏSSI, Director General of WAHO, paid tribute to laboratory professionals for their frontline role in protecting public health. While acknowledging progress made under PROALAB, he emphasised the need for continued collaboration and sustained investment to further strengthen laboratory systems, reaffirming WAHO’s commitment to supporting Member States in implementing agreed recommendations.
Prior to the Steering Committee meeting, a two-day Technical Committee Meeting was held on 26 and 27 January 2026 under the leadership of Dr Olivier Manigart, Team Lead of the GFA/PROALAB Project. Members reviewed project implementation, including progress on the Annual Budgeted Work Plan, regional procurement, laboratory capacity strengthening, quality management systems, accreditation, laboratory information systems and sample transport. The Technical Committee formulated recommendations to inform decision-making at the Steering Committee level.
Funded by the German Government through the German Development Bank (KfW) and implemented by WAHO, PROALAB aims to sustainably strengthen epidemiological surveillance and laboratory systems at national and regional levels to improve preparedness, early detection and response to epidemics across West Africa.
