Reseach Areas

Frugal development at the Basing Lab places a strong emphasis on affordability. By utilizing locally available materials and streamlining manufacturing processes, the lab aims to produce diagnostics that are accessible to a broad range of healthcare settings, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

In addition to developing diagnostics, the Basing Lab invests in capacity building and technology transfer initiatives. The lab collaborates with Incas Diagnostics, a biotech manufacturing company located in Kumasi, Ghana. The company seeks to save lives through the design and production of low-cost, easy-to-use, point-of-care diagnostic test kits designed specifically for Africa (incasglobal.com).

The significance of early diagnosis and treatment cannot be overstated, as untreated skin diseases can have detrimental effects on individuals, families, and communities. These repercussions may manifest as long-term disabilities, stigmatization, and mental health conditions. Our lab focuses on the epidemiology and diagnosis of yaws, Buruli ulcer, leishmaniasis and scabies as well as other causative bacteria of skin ulcers especially in resource limited settings.

Additionally, there is a lack of comprehensive and up-to-date epidemiological data, risk factor analysis, and evidence-based interventions tailored to the specific context of Northern Ghana. This knowledge gap hinders effective control and prevention efforts and perpetuates the adverse health, socio-economic, and developmental impacts of STH infections on the region's population.

There is a need for evidence-based interventions specifically tailored to the local context of Northern Ghana to combat STH infections effectively. The ongoing prevalence of STH infections in Northern Ghana has adverse consequences on the health, nutrition, educational attainment, and socio-economic development of the population.

The Basing Lab seeks to address these critical issues by conducting a comprehensive epidemiological investigation, risk factor analysis, and intervention evaluation, ultimately contributing to the development of effective strategies to reduce the burden of STH infections and improve the overall well-being of the Northern Ghanaian population.

The majority of STIs have no symptoms and so the target group in this study are sexually active asymptomatic females targeted to be between 15 and 24 years old. This targeted age range falls within the age range where these sexually transmitted infections are most common. Most often in Ghana, this is the age group where young people are becoming independent and sexually adventurous. Indiscriminate sex, having multiple sexual partners and sexual experimentation are very high in this age group and at these institutions due to the newly found freedoms that these young people enjoy. High risk sexual practices like anal sex, oral sex, group sex etc. are very common among this age group. The Basing Lab focuses on the epidemiology and diagnosis of preventable STIs among young people.

It emphasizes collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and borders to achieve optimal health outcomes. In the context of AMR, the One Health approach recognizes that the misuse of antimicrobials in any sector - human, animal, or environmental - contributes to the development and spread of resistant microbes.

At the basing lab, our research focuses on proper antibiotic stewardship and responsible use of antimicrobials in healthcare settings. We also focus on regulation of antimicrobial discharge into the environment, such as through wastewater and in community water sources. We study environmental reservoirs of resistant microbes and their genetic material.

Regulatory issues further exacerbate the diagnostic gap in Africa. Cumbersome and slow regulatory processes can delay the approval and adoption of new diagnostic technologies and tests, preventing timely access. Ensuring the quality and accuracy of diagnostic tests is a challenge in some regions, as regulatory authorities may lack the resources or capacity for rigorous oversight.

The diagnostic gap in Africa is not just a local concern; it has broader implications for global health security, Insufficient diagnostic capabilities can impede the timely detection and reporting of emerging infectious diseases, which can potentially lead to regional and international outbreaks. Inadequate diagnostics can contribute to the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, fuelling antimicrobial resistance—a global health threat. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of rapid and widespread diagnostic testing. A weak diagnostic infrastructure in Africa can hinder pandemic preparedness efforts.

The diagnostic gap in Africa represents a multifaceted challenge that impacts healthcare delivery, public health outcomes, and global health security. Addressing this gap requires concerted efforts from governments, international organizations, researchers, and healthcare providers to improve access, regulatory frameworks, and diagnostic capacity across the continent. Bridging this gap is essential not only for the well-being of Africa's population but also for enhancing global health security in an interconnected world. At the Basing lab, our focus is

• To assess the extent and nature of the diagnostic gap in Africa, focusing on major diseases and conditions such as infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and emerging threats.

• To identify the key barriers to access to diagnostics in Africa, including but not limited to supply chain, economic, infrastructural, and geographical factors.

• To analyze the regulatory challenges and bottlenecks that hinder the deployment and utilization of diagnostic technologies and services in African countries.

• To investigate the potential linkages between the diagnostic gap in Africa and global health security, with a particular emphasis on the implications for pandemic preparedness and response.