World Health Organization, Sana'a, Yemen.
Ministry of Public Health and Population, Aden, Yemen.
PLoS One. 2024 Feb 23;19(2):e0298603. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298603. eCollection 2024.
When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, Yemen, a country facing years of conflict had only one laboratory with PCR testing capacity. In this article, we describe the outcome of the implementation of molecular based diagnostics platform in Yemen and highlight the key milestones the country went through to increase access to testing for its populations residing in a geographically vast and politically divided country.
A retrospective assessment of COVID-19 laboratory response activities was done detailing the needs assessment process, timelines, geographical coverage, and outcomes of the activities. Laboratory data was analyzed to construct the geographical locations of COVID-19 testing laboratories and the numbers of tests performed in each facility to highlight the demands of testing for travelers. Finally, we discuss the impact these activities had in enabling the movement of people across international borders for economic gains and in delivery of critical humanitarian aid.
PCR testing capacities in Yemen significantly improved, from one laboratory in Sanaa in April 2020 to 18 facilities across the country by June 2022. In addition, the number of functional Real-Time PCR thermocyclers increased from one to 32, the PCR tests output per day improved from 192 to 6144 tests per day. Results from analysis of laboratory data showed there were four peaks of COVID-19 in Yemen as October 2022. The majority of laboratory tests were performed for travelers than for medical or public health reasons. Demand for laboratory testing in Yemen was generally low and waned over time as the perceived risk of COVID-19 declined, in parallel with rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The successful expansion of laboratory testing capacity was instrumental in the control and management of COVID-19 cases and critical in the implementation of public response strategies, including restrictions on gathering. Laboratory testing also facilitated the movement of humanitarian agencies and delivery of aid and enabled hundreds of thousands of Yemeni nationals to travel internationally. By virtue of these outcomes, the impact of laboratory strengthening activities was thus felt in the health sector and beyond.
当 COVID-19 大流行宣布时，也门这个多年来一直处于冲突之中的国家，仅有一个具备 PCR 检测能力的实验室。本文描述了在也门实施分子诊断平台的结果，并强调了该国为扩大居住在地域广阔、政治分裂国家的民众检测机会而经历的关键里程碑。
对 COVID-19 实验室反应活动进行了回顾性评估，详细说明了需求评估过程、时间安排、地理覆盖范围和活动结果。对实验室数据进行了分析，以构建 COVID-19 检测实验室的地理位置以及每个设施的检测数量，以突出旅行者检测的需求。最后，我们讨论了这些活动在促进人员跨越国际边界进行经济活动以及提供关键人道主义援助方面的影响。
也门的 PCR 检测能力显著提高，从 2020 年 4 月在萨那的一个实验室，到 2022 年 6 月增加到全国 18 个设施。此外，功能实时 PCR 热循环仪的数量从一个增加到 32 个，每天的 PCR 检测量从 192 次提高到每天 6144 次。对实验室数据的分析结果表明，也门有四个 COVID-19 高峰。大多数实验室检测是为旅行者进行的，而不是出于医疗或公共卫生原因。随着 COVID-19 疫苗的推出，也门对实验室检测的需求总体上较低，且随着对 COVID-19 风险的认知下降而逐渐减少。
讨论/结论：实验室检测能力的成功扩大对 COVID-19 病例的控制和管理至关重要，对公共应对策略的实施也至关重要，包括对集会的限制。实验室检测还促进了人道主义机构的流动和援助的提供，并使数十万也门公民能够国际旅行。由于这些结果，实验室强化活动的影响不仅在卫生部门，而且在其他部门都能感受到。
