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Thirty-two laboratory professionals responsible in the establishment and implementation of Quality Management System (QMS) have been trained during a five-day training workshop prior to the implementation of the Laboratory Quality Management System (LQMS) in Mauritius. The training of trainers aimed at building capacity of diagnostics laboratories and improve quality diagnostic service in the country. The training was conducted by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in close collaboration with the World Health Organization. The training of trainers, held virtually due to COVID-19 pandemic, was facilitated by three consultants who shared knowledge and skills on the 18 Laboratory Quality Management System (LQMS) using teach back methodology via the Zoom platform. The trainees were teamed up into groups to practice during the break-up sessions under the virtual guidance and instruction of the facilitators. The WHO country office provided the training logistics and hosted the virtual training via Zoom Platform.

The Republic of Mauritius is an island state in the Indian ocean with a population in 2019 of over 1.2 million . Mauritius is a highly acclaimed tourist destination with over 1.3 million tourists recorded that same year. The island records a high population density of 626 people per Km2 and the highest proportion of elderly (population aged 65+) in sub Saharan Africa, whom accounts for 12% of the population in 2019, on a continent where average is 3%.This combined with a high prevalence of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) , Mauritius was considered among the countries in the African Region the most at risk of a public health disaster due to COVID-19 . Indeed, COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the virus SARS-COV2 which affects all populations but more severely the elderly and people living with NCDs, causing increased mortality in these populations . A year into the pandemic, Mauritius is defeating pessimistic prognosis and the handling of the pandemic is lauded by the international community . The outbreak was contained on the 26 April 2020 after 39 days with no locally transmitted cases, however in November 2020 two other community cases were reported. Since 26 November 2020, only imported cases are reported in the island.

New COVID-19 variants have emerged in Africa as the continent records a new peak in infections. While virus mutations are not unusual, those that are more infectious are worrisome. Professor Francisca Mutapi, Professor in Global Health Infection and Immunity, University of Edinburgh, explains the implications of SARS-CoV-2 variants and what African countries can do to respond.