Strengthening Integrated Surveillance and Response for Vector-Borne Diseases in Melanesia (STRIVE 2.0)

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
Role

Co Investigator

Description

Strengthening Integrated surveillance and response for vector-borne diseases in Melanesia. Emerging infectious diseases pose an intensifying global health threat, especially in the context of resource constrained health systems in Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) and the increasing impact of climate change in the Pacific. A pressing need therefore exists for continued surveillance, rapid diagnosis and real-time tracking of emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). These functions have been articulated in regional (Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases) and global (Global Health Security Agenda) frameworks to strengthen health security. During the first iteration of the project, STRIVE amended its operations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing multi-pathogen sero-surveillance at the Molecular Hub, measuring antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens, to inform the COVID-19 response in PNG. This experience highlighted that despite the significant progress made through STRIVE in strengthening surveillance and outbreak response capacity in PNG, there is still a crucial need for ongoing laboratory workforce development and health systems strengthening to enable a timely and efficient use of data to inform local decision-making and response to outbreaks in both VBDs and novel pathogens. In the next phase of STRIVE, the project will utilize the lessons learned, and foundational strengths developed in PNG to support Vanuatu and Solomon Islands in a priority pilot activity to strengthen VBD surveillance and response, whilst continuing to strengthen and expand upon the existing activities in PNG.

Date

01 Aug 2024 - 30 Jun 2028

Project Type

GRANT

Keywords

malaria;vector surveillance;VBD outbreaks;health systems support

Funding Body

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

Amount

343152

Project Team

Paul Horwood;Stephan Karl;Melanie Koinari