Meningitis outbreak response: how a mobile laboratory helps save lives

As of May 2017, two medical laboratory scientists employed by the Sokoto State Government, jointly trained by the University of Nebraska Medical Centre and eHA are operating the lab. During the 2017 outbreak, the lab tested almost 450 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Out of these, 111 cases of NmC were confirmed and patients were referred to partner organisations for treatment. These mobile labs can ensure that cases of many bacterial diseases can be diagnosed effectively and timely, including diseases beyond meningitis like typhoid or septicaemia. Thus, they can help epidemics in underserved regions of Africa be responded to more efficiently which helps reduce injuries and save live