The LabCoP management team recently sat down with Dr. Collins Otieno to discuss the evolution of the Laboratory Community of Practice (LabCoP), its impact on strengthening laboratory systems across Africa, and the next chapter in building resilient, integrated, and sustainable laboratory systems that support health security, universal health coverage, and outbreak preparedness.

Q1. LabCoP has now completed its third iteration since its formation in 2017. Looking back, what would you consider the biggest achievements?

LabCoP demonstrated that countries learn best from one another when they have a structured platform for collaboration. What began as an initiative focused on strengthening HIV viral load systems has evolved into one of Africa’s largest laboratory systems learning networks, bringing together 24 Ministries of Health, national laboratory directorates and technical partners.

Over the past few years, countries have jointly identified challenges, shared practical solutions and translated evidence into action. More than 9,000 participants from over 160 countries have engaged in webinars, ECHO sessions and technical exchanges, creating an unprecedented platform for South-to-South learning. Most importantly, collaboration has translated into measurable improvements in laboratory systems, stronger governance and better access to diagnostics.

Q2. What tangible impact has LabCoP had at country level?

The results have been encouraging. Countries have completed multiple evidence-based assessments covering laboratory systems, leadership, laboratory network maturity, minimum laboratory service packages, funding sustainability and task sharing. These assessments have enabled countries to identify priority gaps and develop practical improvement plans. Among both the founder and newly enrolled LabCoP countries, we have observed substantial improvements across critical laboratory system components including:

• Demand creation
• HIV viral load testing capacity
• Specimen transportation
• Waste management and Biosafety
• Results utilization

One of the strongest indicators of success has been the ability of countries to convert these workplans into funded investments. On average, approximately 73% of activities submitted for funding were successfully supported, demonstrating that evidence-based planning leads to stronger investment cases.

Q3. Despite these gains, your recent assessments suggest laboratory systems remain vulnerable. What are the biggest concerns?

Our recent sustainability assessments revealed an important reality. Many laboratory systems have become stronger, but they remain heavily dependent on external financing.

Only a small number of countries reported that they could sustain essential laboratory services for more than one year without donor support, while most countries lacked comprehensive contingency plans for maintaining services during funding disruptions (ASLM survey 2025). Recent funding uncertainties have already affected sample referral networks, equipment maintenance, quality assurance programmes and commodity availability in several countries. This tells us that strengthening laboratory systems is no longer enough. We must also strengthen their resilience.

Q4. How does this inform the future of LabCoP?

A strategic evolution is needed in the next phase of the LabCoP. Rather than focusing primarily on disease-specific laboratory programmes, the next phase will strengthen the entire laboratory system as a critical component of health security, universal health coverage and outbreak preparedness. The emphasis will shift from implementing isolated interventions to helping countries build resilient, integrated laboratory systems that continue functioning even during financial shocks, outbreaks and public health emergencies.

Q5. What new areas will the LabCoP focus on?

Several exciting additions are planned.

First, LabCoP will expand beyond HIV and TB to support integrated laboratory systems for surveillance, outbreak preparedness and priority diseases.

Second, countries will receive greater support to define and implement Minimum Packages for Laboratory Systems, enabling governments to identify the essential laboratory systems that must be protected under constrained funding scenarios.

Third, LabCoP will strengthen laboratory governance through leadership development, laboratory maturity assessments and stronger National Laboratory Directorates.

Fourth, the programme will support countries to introduce GIS-enabled laboratory intelligence, combining laboratory mapping, diagnostic capacity and surveillance data to improve planning, referral networks and equitable access to diagnostics.

Finally, the Community of Practice will continue expanding peer learning while introducing more differentiated support based on country needs, allowing intensive technical assistance where it is most needed.

Q6. How will countries benefit from this new approach?

Countries will have access to better evidence for decision-making. Instead of relying solely on periodic assessments, LabCoP will increasingly support countries with near real-time laboratory intelligence, helping them understand where diagnostic gaps exist, which systems are most vulnerable, and where investments will have the greatest impact.

Countries will also benefit from practical tools for investment prioritization, laboratory network optimization, workforce strengthening and sustainable financing. The goal is to move from reactive responses to proactive planning.

Q7. What role will partnerships continue to play?

Partnerships remain at the heart of LabCoP. The success of the Community of Practice has been built on strong collaboration between Ministries of Health, national laboratory directorates, Africa CDC, WHO, Global Fund, PEPFAR, Gates Foundation and many technical partners.

LabCoP provides a neutral platform where countries and partners work together, share evidence and jointly identify practical solutions. As laboratory challenges become increasingly cross-cutting, this collaborative approach will become even more important.

Q8. Finally, what message would you like to leave with LabCoP members?

The achievements of LabCoP show what is possible when countries learn from one another and use evidence to drive decisions.

However, today’s environment demands something more. We must build laboratory systems that are not only stronger, but also more resilient, integrated and sustainable.

LabCoP is designed to support exactly that vision—helping countries protect essential diagnostic services, strengthen surveillance systems, improve preparedness for future outbreaks and ensure that every investment in laboratory systems delivers lasting impact.

The next chapter is not simply about doing more. It is about building laboratory systems that Africa can rely on for decades to come.