Conference Abstract | Volume 8, Abstract ELIC2025240 (Poster 006 ) | Published: 24 Jul 2025
Aishatu Muhammad Malami1,& Yusuf Jibrin Bara2, Ahmed Futa3, Ibrahim Mahmood Maigari2, Hallir Adam Muhammad1
1Molecular Genetics and Infectious Disease Research Laboratory Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria, 2Department of Medicine, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria, 3Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia
&Corresponding author: Aishatu Muhammad Malami, Molecular Genetics and Infectious Disease Research Laboratory Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria
Email: Aishatum.malami@gmail.com
Received: 25 Mar 2025, Accepted: 09 Jul 2025, Published: 24 Jul 2025
Domain: Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Keywords: Diseases, emerging, collaboration, research and development
©Aishatu Muhammad Malami et al Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Cite this article: Aishatu Muhammad Malami et al Strengthening Regional Laboratory Networks and Collaborative Research on Emerging Pathogens: The Role of the Molecular Research Facility at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2025;8(ConfProc5):00150. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO5-00150
Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, particularly viral haemorrhagic fevers like Lassa fever, Ebola, and yellow fever, continue to challenge public health systems in West Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant global mortality but also advanced modern laboratory and clinical diagnostics, raising new research questions. The Molecular Genetics and Infectious Disease (MOGID) Research Laboratory at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi, Nigeria, is an NCDC-optimized facility for RT-qPCR diagnostics of Lassa virus (LASV), SARS-CoV-2, Monkeypox (Mpox), and Varicella zoster virus (VZV). It serves Bauchi and neighbouring states including Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe. The laboratory plays a central role in surveillance, diagnostics, and outbreak response. To highlight the MOGID laboratory as a strategic centre for collaborative research and sustainable capacity building aimed at closing research and preparedness gaps for emerging and re-emerging pathogens in West Africa.
The state’s surveillance activities have positioned the laboratory as a central link for service delivery in patient care and treatment outcomes. Through ongoing support from donors and national stakeholders, the laboratory has developed a strong foundation for collaborative scientific research, workforce development, and operational readiness for public health threats.
There is a great opportunity for collaborative research, data sharing, and the exchange of resources and expertise with other institutions and countries. Such partnerships can address research gaps and help shape sustainable strategies for the prevention of disease emergence. Our participation in collaborative research efforts will contribute significantly to the regional infectious disease research agenda and enhance preparedness for future outbreaks.
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