With its unique technologies and extensive experience, Russia is actively cooperating with African counterparts, offering advisory and methodological support in tackling public health challenges, Rospotrebnadzor said in a written statement sent to Sputnik Africa.
"Employees of Rospotrebnadzor are ready for the most active cooperation and to provide advisory and methodological support to colleagues from African countries to assess the current epidemic situation on cholera and other diseases," the statement read.
A recent example of Rospotrebnadzor's rapid response capabilities was demonstrated in August 2023, when a team of specialists and a mobile laboratory were dispatched to the Republic of Congo within 48 hours to combat an outbreak of dangerous intestinal infections.
According to the Russian consumer watchdog, this swift action resulted in a remarkable 16-fold reduction in the incidence rate, demonstrating the effectiveness of Russian expertise and technology.
Building on such successes, a comprehensive program of assistance to African countries in the field of sanitary and epidemiological welfare was launched in 2023. This initiative, announced by President Vladimir Putin at the Second Russia-Africa Summit, includes, among other things, the delivery of mobile laboratories with high-level biological protection.
"The program provides for the delivery of 10 mobile laboratories with a high level of biological protection, training of 350 African specialists in Russian methods, including the training of about 100 people in Rospotrebnadzor's leading scientific facilities, conducting joint research to study dangerous infections, as well as assistance in the development of laboratory infrastructure and capacity building in preparation for epidemics," the agency said.
In addition to Congo, Rospotrebnadzor has already taken concrete steps by delivering mobile laboratories to Burundi and Uganda, demonstrating its commitment to providing immediate and tangible assistance.