Laboratory Capacity Building in Africa

1. Laboratory Capacity Building in Africa Tsehaynesh Messele, PhD CEO, ASLM

2. Challenges of Labs in Africa • Low priority and recognition in most national health delivery systems • Poor infrastructure, inadequate equipment and supplies, absence /weak quality assurance, shortage of trained personnel • Delayed or in appropriate response to epidemics, disease control and patient management • In general laboratory dependent programs are challenged

3. Critical problems? Poor communication Poor Quality Assurance Bad working Environment lack of incentive package Lack of networking Limited External Quality Assessment (EQA) Lack of accountability and responsibility Lack Accreditation for laboratory system Poor attention to Lab system Lack of National laboratory policy Poor communication channel WeakNational laboratory system Inefficient service delivery system Lack of training Shortage of laboratory supplies in adequate Lab Facility attrition Lack of integration &uniformity Poor referral linkage Poor laboratory service workforce

4. The Ethiopian experience…../ • EHNRI in collaboration with all stakeholders developed the first five year national laboratory master plan in December 2005 . • Strategic objectives to address the major gaps in laboratories at different levels. • The plan was revised in 2009 to encompass 17 comprehensive strategies aimed at developing a sustainable system that delivers quality and accessible laboratory services for integrated diseases

5. Describe principles and procedures through which the National Laboratory System will develop capacity to meet the needs of the nation Describe specific strategies and plans for the development and implementation of laboratory services nationwide Serve as national operational guidelines for: public health and clinical laboratories health programs which rely on the national laboratory system for support donor organizations looking to fill resource gaps Objectives of the Master Plan

6. Strategies Build EHNRI’s technical capacity for training Identify, prioritize and standardize in-service trainings Support regional in-service trainings Collaborate in strengthening pre-service training programs Strengthen M&E for training programs ASCP supported implementation of the training strategies Strategic objective 7: To expand and strengthen standardized training programs for laboratory personnel

7. TOT on Chemistry, Hematology and CD4 was given to >500 lab professionals with support from ASCP The TOTs have been conducted in order to support the regional roll-out of training programs Regional training teams were formed Regional roll-out done Was critical for successful expansion of the HIV care and treatment program Technical assistance to support the development of SOPs Training of two senior professionals abroad on quality laboratory improvement Training and Other supports

8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Regional Roll-Out Format 1 2 3 4 Days Path 1 CD4 Chemistry Hematology Common Modules Common Modules Hematology CD4 Chemistry Path 2 • Trainings rolled-out in a cycle of 2 rounds • Trainees attended both trainings in order to complete all tracks. • The students only needed to attend the Common Modules once • In one training cycle, Chemistry and Hematology trainers will commit 7 days to teaching • 1 day to teach the Common Modules • 3 days to teach their module in the first round • 3 days to teach their module in the second round • In one training cycle, CD4 trainers will commit 4 days of teaching • 4 days to teach their module twice

9. Thank you | www.aslm.org