Many countries are paying a heavy price to infectious diseases: HIV / AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, diarrheal diseases, respiratory diseases. The prevention and treatment of most major diseases can be improved by access to quality laboratory testing. The effectiveness of clinical care is improved by confirming of the diagnosis, laboratory monitoring of the patient and surveillance to detect trends in morbidity and mortality.
The importance of access to quality laboratory services to promote health is well recognised and the goal to establish laboratory-based surveillance in all WHO member countries was established by the International Health Regulations (IHR) of 2005.
Challenges
Despite recent major efforts to improve laboratory services, the laboratory systems of most developing countries remain inadequate to meet priority needs.
To remedy this, we must urgently help these countries develop and implement strategic plans defining a logical framework for effective utilisation of the limited resources and thereby strengthen laboratory systems, which are an integral part of health systems.
This programme is a direct response to a recommendation from the meeting on ’The harmonization and standardization of equipment and laboratory tests for HIV / AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria’ in January 2008 (Maputo Declaration) and a call to action to develop appropriate capacity for laboratories in resource limited settings.
Goal
Strengthen national biomedical laboratory systems in order to improve the diagnostic, surveillance and care of infectious diseases.
Approach
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Assist countries in implementing and developing national laboratory strategic plans;
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Coordinate the establishment of regional laboratory networks for harmonization of practices and exchange of experience;
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Provide technical and financial assistance to be shared among all laboratories in a harmonized way;
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Assist countries in improving existing training programmes or creating new programmes for laboratory professionals;
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Development and training to use ICT tools such as e-portals, e-learning modules, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), mobile health tools;
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Assist with the implementation of quality management systems and an accreditation procedure.
Achievements
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3 countries – Burkina Faso, Mali et Senegal – have been assisted in developing and implementing National Laboratory Strategic Plans and are currently collaborating as part of the West African Network RESAOLAB;
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12 biomedical laboratories were refurbished and equipped anew and 60 laboratory technicians and 300 laboratory professionals were trained;
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Consultation and writing of technical specifications for a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) have been conducted;
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Development of an e-portal and a pilot e-learning module;
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A national quality assurance plan has been validated by the governments of Mali and Burkina Faso.