Ethiopia Reviews the Functionality of their National Laboratory Network

The African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) has partnered with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) to conduct a comprehensive LabNet Scorecard of their national laboratory network in a bid to assess Ethiopia’s healthcare delivery and public health emergency preparedness.

 

 

This pivotal assessment aims to provide an in-depth evaluation of Ethiopia’s health laboratory system, scrutinizing its capacity to deliver integrated , essential, and quality-assured testing services in an effort to meet international health regulations (IHR) and universal healthcare requirements. By enhancing these capabilities, the initiative seeks to support national healthcare delivery and fortify public health emergency response mechanisms. 

The LabNet Scorecard assessment covers nine critical capabilities:

1. 1. Political, Legal, Regulatory, and Financial Framework
   2. Structure and Organization of the Laboratory Networks
   3. Coverage and Rapid Response
   4. Laboratory Information (Management) System 
   5. Infrastructures 
   6. Laboratory Workforce
   7. Quality of the Laboratory Services
   8. Biosafety and Biosecurity
   9. Priority Diseases

Dr Saro Abdella, Deputy Director General for Laboratory Services at EPHI, highlighted the assessment’s crucial role in pinpointing key challenges and opportunities for improvement. She stressed the importance of developing strategic and operational plans based on the findings, as well as mobilizing the necessary resources for effective implementation.

Dr Collins Otieno, Portfolio Lead at ASLM, underscored the significance of this endeavor, aligning it with ASLM’s 4th strategic priority of supporting the African laboratory community setting the agenda for laboratory medicine on the continent and informing investments with local evidence. He emphasized the value of sharing best practices with other African nations, urging participants to view the assessment as a critical tool for elevating Ethiopia’s laboratory systems and network to new heights.

This collaboration between ASLM and EPHI represents a significant step forward in enhancing Ethiopia’s health laboratory systems. As the assessment unfolds, it promises to uncover invaluable insights and pave the way for transformative improvements in healthcare delivery and public health preparedness across the nation.