African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM)’s Post

Don't miss #AMR CoP ECHO Session on Oct 18! This session will focus on the EUCAST Disk Diffusion Method and its relation to MIC. Register at https://conta.cc/4eyHpVT

Call for public comments! The EDL Secretariat is pleased to announce the opening of the public comments period for the applications received for the fifth edition of the World Health Organization Model List of Essential In Vitro Diagnostics (EDL 5). Learn more: https://lnkd.in/et29b4dm

The Global Fund Project STELLAR has been pivotal in strengthening policy and governance frameworks in Botswana. By supporting the Ministry of Health in developing #COVID19 testing guidelines, which were later adapted into influenza-like illness (ILI) testing guidelines, we enhanced the country’s capacity to manage respiratory infections. This policy integration highlights our commitment to sustainable and resilient health systems. The Global Fund, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. Botswana Harvard Health Partnership

This week, Mr Anafi Mataka, ASLM’s Head of Division and Dr NOAH TAKAH FONGWEN, Africa CDC's Diagnostics Access Coordinator, led important discussions focused on improving diagnostic access across Africa. Together, they are advancing efforts in the fight against Mpox, Marburg, and other priority diseases!

The Global Fund Project STELLAR drove meaningful change in Botswana’s healthcare landscape by addressing critical issues such as sample management and data integrity. The project has improved disease detection and response capabilities, and our collaboration with the Ministry of Health has contributed to building a robust infrastructure for long-term health resilience. The Global Fund, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. Botswana Harvard Health Partnership

The Africa CDC Diagnostic Advisory Committee (DAC) has successfully completed evaluation protocols for locally manufactured #Ag-RDTs to strengthen diagnostic capabilities for #Mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Meanwhile, Rwanda is preparing for potential #Marburg virus kit evaluations to enhance outbreak preparedness. In parallel, National Regulatory Authorities are finalizing key Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) documents for Mpox tests—an effort to ensure swift access to reliable diagnostics. This meeting represents a crucial step toward implementing practical, context-specific solutions for Africa’s health priorities!

Great news from Accra, Ghana! This week, ASLM, Africa CDC Diagnostic Advisory Committee (DAC) partnered with the Africa Medical Devices Forum to meet with National Regulatory Authorities from West Africa and Mpox-affected countries. Together, we drafted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) documents for Mpox tests as part of the Emergency Use Listing (EUL) process with the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (AMRH), finalized evaluation protocols for DAC, incorporating the National Regulatory Authorities feedback and Paving the way for a pilot of the continental regulatory process for Africa’s priority diseases

This week, the Zambia #LabCoP country team conducting is their annual viral load/EID assessment exercise, using LabCoP’s Self-assessment tool, WHO #VL and EID tool. These tools aim to determine the country level of implementation of #EID and #VL testing.