Diagnostic Systems Strengthening for Cholera Control Strategies in a Fragile Region of Nigeria

Nigeria is one of 43 cholera endemic countries worldwide, largely due to deficiencies in the implementation of multi-sectoral interventions for cholera control including diagnostics for surveillance and clinical case management.

Cholera morbidity and mortality is highest in the north-east region of Nigeria, where healthcare delivery and uptake is poor.

Frequent attacks on healthcare infrastructure and personnel from armed conflicts by the Boko Haram insurgency are a key reason.

In this context, attaining the global target for cholera control remains out of reach, particularly given the impact on surveillance for cholera outbreak detection and monitoring.The overall purpose of this network is to build a common research platform for reducing the cholera burden in this fragile region of Nigeria.

The specific objectives include:Strengthen a sustainable collaboration between Nigerian cholera researchers, KI to promote a longer-term health system strengthening in the area of cholera diagnostic in a fragile region of Nigeria through mutual capacity building.Bridge the diagnostic gap via a pilot study of novel easy to use point-of-care solutions in this context.Co-design and submit an application for a large-scale field evaluation of context-tested point-of-care solutions with government, community and practitioner partners.Implementation of these objectives will use a combination of workshops, desk-based review, key-informant interviews and survey of health facilities.