ASLM Fact Sheet
ASLM – What It Means
ASLM stands for the African Society for Laboratory Medicine. It is a Pan-African professional body that will work with countries to advocate for the critical role and needs of laboratory medicine.
Where We Are Based
The ASLM Secretariat is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The ASLM Senior Management Team has recently moved into the headquarters, located at: ASLM, P.O. Box 5487, Joseph Tito Street, Nega City Mall, 8th Floor, Kirkos Subcity, Kebele 08 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
ASLM's Plan For Strengthening Public Health Systems
ASLM constitutes the institutional capacity development which is critical for strengthening and sustaining health systems. Professional bodies are the only guarantors of standards and codes of conduct of the field and profession. ASLM will work to improve laboratory capacity and standards, promote accreditation, provide educational, research-based and social resources to industry professionals, and empower laboratory professionals by giving them a cohesive outlet for advancement.
ASLM Member Involvement
ASLM membership includes individuals in the field of laboratory medicine as well as medical laboratory affiliated institutions in Africa and across the world.
ASLM Partners and Supporting Institutions
ASLM is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health organization (WHO), the World Bank (WB), and other bilateral organizations. Many other partners and donors are engaged. Relevant ministries (e.g. MOH) are natural partners of ASLM in advocating for laboratory strengthening.
Main Activities
The activities of ASLM include: serving as a professional body to guide laboratory network development and unite medical laboratory professionals in Africa; facilitating and promoting inter-country collaboration, partnerships and resource mobilization; developing and guiding the process of harmonization and certification of laboratory medicine training; working with WHO and others to develop and implement laboratory policies and accreditation guidelines in Africa; advocating for the laboratory profession at the highest levels within African countries and internationally; organizing annual meetings for laboratory medicine practitioners; strengthening existing laboratory professional associations and societies and aiding the development of new associations; and establishing a peer-reviewed journal for laboratory medicine in Africa.
Commitment to Africa
The African continent is the most seriously affected by major infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB as well as other tropical diseases in terms of morbidity and mortality. ASLM focuses on the African continent to impact positive change in addressing some of these laboratory strengthening issues towards standardization of international laboratory medicine practices. However, as mentioned, ASLM actively collaborates with international partners to improve laboratory medicine on the continent.
ASLM will develop the appropriate capacity to provide technical assistance to all African countries interested in its main activities, listed above. ASLM will promote laboratory medicine networking to improve laboratory standards and strengthen health systems. ASLM will identify and/or orientate interested parties to the right resources or provide technical assistance. ASLM will liaise with health authorities and relevant bodies to advocate for laboratory medicine standards.
Role in Accreditation and Improvement of Laboratory Standards
ASLM and the World Health Organization African Regional Office (WHO-AFRO) work closely to support implementation of quality management systems, including the step-wise laboratory accreditation process. ASLM's structure includes an Independent Accreditation Committee that works closely with WHO and different governments to implement accreditation policies, licensure, and standards.
