SPECIAL EDITION

SEPTEMBER, 2026

This special issue of LabVoice explores what happens when years of sustained investment and preparation are put to the test during a real public health emergency. As the Democratic Republic of Congo responds to its latest outbreak, Africa’s laboratory systems, many of which were originally established to address other diseases, have been tested in real time. In this edition, we follow the story from a continent-wide readiness assessment that accurately identified key strengths and gaps, to the deployment of mobile laboratories that reduced turnaround times from five days to just six hours in underserved communities. We also examine the ongoing evaluation of point-of-care diagnostic technologies aimed at further decentralizing testing and expanding access to timely results. We conclude with ASLM’s recommendation for ISO 9001:2015 certification, highlighting the importance of ensuring that the systems supporting Africa’s laboratory networks uphold the same standards of quality, readiness, and continuous improvement expected across the field.

Enjoy the read.