Post COVID-19 Research Trends

Future Africa, University of Pretoria

22-23 November 2022

Virtual recordings:

Day 1: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/189WadWuepc0bO3XA2gw5Kk3K7j8IRfZF?usp=share_link

Day 2: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gEPtXFafb-Fc4q9sF-3LUAnA5KFLB5be?usp=share_link 

Symposium Pictures: 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12hn4_ohCDPbm-oR6D_AeGB1JTlTxlt4Q

Enquiries:

Dr Boitumelo Moetlhoa: [email protected]/ 0832546384

The REASSURED refers to Real-time connectivity, Ease of specimen collection, Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and robust, Equipment-free or simple, and Deliverable to end-users. REASSURED is used as a guideline set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for ideal diagnostic test development. Many diagnostic tests have been developed for use at point-of-care (POC) are expected to meet the REASSURED criteria. However, evidence indicates that most of the diagnostics used in sub-Saharan Africa fail to adhere to all components of the REASSURED criteria. As we prepare to respond to future pandemics, with the progression of syndromic infections, co-infections and current antimicrobial resistance challenges, the need for co-operative development and implementation of optimal diagnostics is vital now more than ever.

This is the first of a series of planned REASSURED Diagnostics symposiums, which will be held on the 22nd and 23rd November 2022 at Future Africa, University of Pretoria. The objective of this symposium is to provide an opportunity for local diagnostics researchers, developers and users to network, collaborate and exchange ideas with diagnostic knowledge specialists in order to optimize the development and implementation of POC diagnostics for resource-limited settings and underserved populations. These knowledge specialists include internationally renowned leaders and experts in public health as well as evidence-based research and practice.  The focus for the 2022 symposium is to draw on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to help advance research on implementation research for POC diagnostics. Two workshops will be run as part of the symposium in order to achieve the focus and objective of the event. Furthermore, position papers will be published in one of the elite journals in order to communicate the recommendations and stand-points extracted from this interaction.

Prof. Tivani Mashamba-Thompson (Chairperson) Deputy Dean Research and Post-graduate studies, University of Pretoria	Prof. Tawana Kupe (Keynote Speaker) Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Pretoria	Prof. Lehana Thabane (Keynote Speaker) Professor, McMaster University and Vice-President Research, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton	Prof. Peter Nyasulu  (Keynote Speaker) Professor in Infectious Diseases Epidemiology at Stellenbosch University	Prof. Paul Drain  (Keynote Speaker)  Associate Professor in Global Health, Medicine and Epidemiology  University of Washington