The Infectious Disease Detection and Surveillance (IDDS) project supported countries in detecting priority diseases and antimicrobial resistance by strengthening national and local capacities to improve diagnostic networks and surveillance systems. Our work used the One Health whole-of-government approach, which recognizes that people, animals and their shared environment are interconnected.
The prime organization, ICF, led the consortium consisting of FHI 360 and PATH as core partners and Metabiota, Gryphon Scientific, African Society for Laboratory Medicine, and Abt Global as resource partners. FHI 360 was lead partner in 12 countries, supporting tuberculosis, global health security, COVID-19 and malaria work streams. We led the diagnostic strengthening components of the project and provided technical and operational support to all countries in which IDDS operated.
The IDDS project focused on improving:
- The detection of diseases of public health importance and the identification of antimicrobial resistance in priority infectious diseases through an accessible, accurate and adaptable, as well as timely and integrated, diagnostic network system.
- The quality of real-time surveillance systems for pathogens of the greatest public health concern, including antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic diseases.
- Evidence-based guidance and innovative solutions to strengthen in-country diagnostic networks and surveillance systems.
One primary objective of the IDDS project was to strengthen diagnostic networks and laboratory systems in support of country goals for the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and tuberculosis control programs. To do this, the project coordinated with local partners to:
- Conduct diagnostic network assessments and gap analyses.
- Develop national laboratory strategies and capacity strengthening plans, including workforce development.
- Build resilient supply chain systems for diagnostic commodities
- Improve access to functional diagnostic equipment.
- Strengthen specimen referral systems to ensure access to diagnostic tests.
- Integrate and optimize diagnostic networks.
- Strengthen capacity to detect priority infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
- Enhance diagnostic quality management systems to ensure the quality and timeliness of diagnostic test results.
- Strengthen information exchange mechanisms for patient care and surveillance.
- Enhance biosafety and biosecurity systems to protect communities and the workforce.