What’s New at LabCoP – September 2022

What’s New at LabCoP

LabCoP Launches the New DNO Sub-CoP

The Diagnostic Network Optimisation (DNO) sub-community of practice (CoP) is a collaboration between ASLM and the Foundation for Innovative Diagnostics (FIND) and aims to bring together countries and stakeholders to share challenges, solutions and best practices on optimising national diagnostic networks. DNO is a geospatial data analytics approach that informs interventions needed to achieve disease goals and health equity and enables prioritisation of high impact investments to support effective laboratory networks. Learn more about LabCoP’s new DNO Sub-CoP and the DNO Theory of Action, on ASLM’s website.

New Sub-Communities of Practice Web Pages

The LabCoP Sub-Communities of Practice now have their own web pages! See what each has to offer participating country teams and helpful resources related to each. Visit the Waste Management Sub-CoP page here! Visit the Monitoring & Evaluation Sub-CoP page here! Visit the Diagnostic Network Optimisation Sub-CoP page here!

Welcoming the Congo-Brazzaville Team to LabCoP

The LabCoP Mgt Team is pleased to announce that Congo-Brazzaville is the 19^th country team to join the LabCoP family! The team is led by Dr Nkodia Loumouamou Marie Yvonne of Direction Generale des Soins et Services de Sante. They will perform their first self-assessment in the coming weeks and will join us at LabCoP’s 6^th Annual Meeting. Please join us in welcoming Congo-Brazzaville to the team. Bienvenue, équipe Congo-Brazzaville!

New PEPFAR Strategic Direction

U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Special Representative for Health Diplomacy Ambassador at Large, Dr John Nkengasong, has announced the new PEPFAR Strategic Direction based on insights from his stakeholder listening sessions. The goal is to position PEPFAR on the path to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic as a public health threat by 2030 and sustainably strengthen public health systems through the PEPFAR platform, in partnership with communities and countries. Learn more here.

Looking Ahead

Laboratory Director’s Forum Meeting at LabCoP’s 6th Annual Meeting

In September, ASLM announced the launch of the Laboratory Directors’ Forum (LabDF) in partnership with Africa CDC. The LabDF will provide African leaders in lab services from 55 African Union Member States space and infrastructure to develop a unified voice to shape agendas, define priorities, and harness individual countries’ strengths, capabilities and successes to further build laboratory capacity on the continent. On 14 October, following LabCoP’s 6th Annual Meeting, ASLM has organised a session of the LabDF with the goal of identifying new avenues, strategies and partnerships to improve the quality and effectiveness of the African laboratory system and diagnostic network. Participating lab directors will receive more information via email. Learn more about the LabDF here.

Save the Date for ASLM2023

ASLM’s biennial conference returns to Cape Town, South Africa 12-15 December 2023. ASLM2023 offers the opportunity to hear from world renowned experts on infectious disease control and public health from Africa and across the globe. It is the perfect opportunity to showcase your research and network with other medical laboratory experts and public health leaders. Stay tuned for more info about abstracts and registration. See you at ASLM2023!