Building Cross-Country Networks for Laboratory Capacity and Improvement

Miriam Schneidman; Martin Matu; John Nkengasong; Willie Githui; Simeon Kalyesubula-Kibuuka; Kelly Araujo Silva

doi:10.1016/j.cll.2017.10.009

Building Cross-Country Networks for Laboratory Capacity and Improvement

Clin Lab Med. 2018 Mar;38(1):119-130. doi: 10.1016/j.cll.2017.10.009.

Authors

Miriam Schneidman¹, Martin Matu², John Nkengasong³, Willie Githui⁴, Simeon Kalyesubula-Kibuuka⁵, Kelly Araujo Silva⁶

Affiliations

¹ World Bank, Health, World Bank, 1818 H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
² East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community, Plot 157, Olorien, Njiro Road, PO Box 1009, Arusha, Tanzania.
³ Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, African Union Headquarters, PO Box 3243, Roosvelt Street (Old Airport Area), W21K19, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
⁴ Mycobacteriology Research Laboratory, Centre for Respiratory Diseases Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenyatta National Hospital Grounds, PO Box 47855, Nairobi 00200, Kenya.
⁵ Uganda National Health Laboratory Services, Plot 1062-106 Butabika Road Luzira, Kampala, Uganda.
⁶ Lacliv - Laboratorio de Analises Clinicas de Valenca, Travessa Silva Jardim, Centro 13 Valenca, Bahia, Brazil.

PMID: 29412876
DOI: 10.1016/j.cll.2017.10.009

Abstract

Laboratory networks are vital to well-functioning public health systems and disease control efforts. Cross-country laboratory networks play a critical role in supporting epidemiologic surveillance, accelerating disease outbreak response, and tracking drug resistance. The East Africa Public Health Laboratory Network was established to bolster diagnostic and disease surveillance capacity. The network supports the introduction of regional quality standards; facilitates the rollout and evaluation of new diagnostic tools; and serves as a platform for training, research, and knowledge sharing. Participating facilities benefitted from state-of-the art investments, capacity building, and mentorship; conducted multicountry research studies; and contributed to disease outbreak response.

Keywords: Disease outbreak response; Epidemiologic surveillance; Global health security; Laboratory networks.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Capacity Building*
Clinical Laboratory Services
Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control
Disease Outbreaks / statistics & numerical data
Global Health*
Humans
Laboratories* / organization & administration
Laboratories* / standards
Population Surveillance
Quality Improvement*