National COVID Testing Africa AAPs/Centre

To provide consistent technical support to national testing programmes for SARS-CoV-2 in Kenya, Malawi and South Africa. To support epidemiological research, clinical trials, immunological studies and genomics work To consolidate and maintain positive relationships with national policy makers. Our respective Wellcome AAPs/Centre (i.e. MLW, KEMRI-Wellcome, AHRI and CIDRI-Africa) have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by making resources and staff available for SARS-CoV-2 testing, accounting currently for significant proportions of the local and/or national testing capacities, especially during surges. It is ethically imperative to provide national support alongside research-driven testing, and we have found this testing provided an opportunity to develop stronger relationships with national Government, with the potential for research that is better aligned to informing policy and with a better position to communicate. The immediate need has been covered by re-allocating resources for paused activities. The proposal here will bridge the gap between our immediate response and more sustainable long-term funding. This will allow us to sustain the enhanced relationships developed through our response to the pandemic, and will avoid the reputational risks that might be associated with failing to support the obvious ongoing need while establishing more sustainable long-term projects and core provisions.