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US Government Donates Equipment to Diagnose Respiratory Diseases (April 29, 2009)

In the context of its ongoing efforts to improve the health of the Ivorian people, the US government has donated advanced equipment and computer technology that will allow doctors to diagnose respiratory diseases, including a variety of strains of influenza, more rapidly than ever before.

Through the Naval Medical Research Unit (an arm of the US military) the USG is donating $50,000 worth of medical equipment, which will be located at the Institut Pasteur (IP), designated by the Ministry of Health as Cote d'Ivoire's  National Influenza Center.  Respiratory disease is a significant problem in Cote d'Ivoire.  It is the third most common illness in adults and unfortunately, the second most common illness among children.

Through the USG’s donation, Cote d'Ivoire is gaining a wonderful tool to fight respiratory illnesses and learn more about what agents cause these diseases in order to keep them from spreading.   In addition to common influenza-like illnesses, the equipment will also give the laboratory the capacity to rapidly diagnose avian influenza strains and other unique influenzas that may have pandemic potential among human beings.

Specifics on the equipment being donated :

The equipment consistes of an ABI Real Time PCR machine and laptop computer with software.  It is designed to diagnose specific disease agents within a six hour period,  greatly aiding Cote d'Ivoire's ability to diagnose and track respiratory diseases. 
An identical machine is being donated to Burkina Faso.