PARTNERS DISCUSS STRENGTHENING SURVEILLANCE AND DIAGNOSIS OF FUNGAL INFECTIONS
Strengthening surveillance, laboratory capacity and human resources for the diagnosis of fungal infections was at the centre of discussions among researchers, health professionals and partners, who called for greater integration of this component into national health surveillance systems. The discussion took place during a results-sharing meeting organised by the Manhiça Health Research Centre (CISM) and its partners, as part of the Fungal Surveillance in Mozambique study.
During the meeting, participants highlighted the need to transform the data already available into useful information to guide public health decisions. Key challenges identified included the availability of reagents, laboratory capacity, human resource training and the sustainability of surveillance activities.
It was also noted that the country has some high-complexity laboratory platforms, including sequencing capacity at the central level. However, the use of these infrastructures depends on the availability of specific reagents and trained professionals capable of performing the tests and interpreting the results.
Expanding surveillance to other health facilities and provinces was identified as one of the priorities. Participants called for the experience gained during the pilot phase to be used to establish broader and more sustainable capacity, including both the diagnosis of fungal infections and research into antifungal resistance.
Another issue highlighted was the need to strengthen the fungal component within existing surveillance platforms. The National Meningitis Surveillance programme covers different aetiological agents, including fungal meningitis, but current capacity remains more focused on the diagnosis of bacterial infections. In this context, participants called for increased capacity to detect and identify fungi.
Participants also emphasised the importance of stronger coordination across the different levels of the health system. Surveillance begins in communities and health facilities, where clinical suspicion and sample collection take place, before samples are referred to laboratories with diagnostic capacity. Therefore, the availability of equipment in reference laboratories must be accompanied by basic materials at health facilities for the proper collection, storage and referral of samples.
The use of data generated by the studies was another key point of the discussion. Participants stressed that available findings should be shared with the Ministry of Health and used to support priority-setting, planning and evidence-based decision-making.
Funding was also identified as one of the main challenges to expanding fungal surveillance. While recognising the contribution of international partners, participants called for greater national ownership and the progressive integration of these activities into the relevant structures of the health system.
During the discussion, participants proposed the creation or strengthening of a working group dedicated to fungal diseases, bringing together the Ministry of Health, researchers, clinicians, laboratories and partners. Such a platform would allow for the regular review of results, discussion of gaps and development of proposals for the National Directorate of Public Health.
Participants also called for greater visibility of fungal diseases on the public health agenda through the production and dissemination of evidence on disease burden, antifungal resistance and diagnostic needs in the country.
The Fungal Surveillance in Mozambique study is being implemented in collaboration with the National Institute of Health (INS), with funding from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), and is being conducted in Manhiça District and at Maputo Central Hospital.
