The 4th National Laboratory Forum Met in Semera
The 4th National Laboratory Forum which was organized by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) in collaboration with Afar Regional Health Bureau/Afar Public Health Research &Referral Laboratory/ was held in Semera, Afar from February 22 – 23, 2019. The meeting was opened by Afar Regional Health Bureau’s Head, Yasmin Habib and was chaired by EPHI’s Director General Dr. Ebba Abate.
The forum’s meeting majorly aims to know the challenges, gaps and the way forward in the national laboratory services and meets every four month.
The Minute tracking and updates forwarded on the 3rd forum meeting was presented by Addisu Kebede, A/Director of EPHI’s National Laboratory Capacity Building Directorate. On his presentation Addisu explained that 24 action items were identified on the previous meeting. Out of these is clearing HIV load backlog specimen.
“Use of laboratory backup testing service and reducing equipment down time through equipment preventive maintenance training for laboratory users are few of the actions taken to clear the specimen backlog,” said Addisu.
Updates on AMR surveillance initiative, national updates on laboratory quality improvement /including the regions/ SLIPTA, GeneXpert TB testing service update and Challenge TB project status and transition plan were some of the presentations on the meeting which were followed by comments and discussions.
Also different national laboratories which got quality accreditation were handed over a certificate and an icon on the meeting to recognize their successful achievements.
Predecessors of this meeting were held in Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar and Adama respectively. And Hawassa has been selected to host the 5th meeting.
Regional health bureau representatives, Challenge TB, Regional Public Health Institutes, FMHACA, Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Agency, Ethiopian Postal Service Enterprise and stakeholder associations participated on the meeting.
At the final day of the meeting the Afar Regional Health Bureau organized a colorful dinner ceremony to welfare the guests.