Quality Assurance Framework for SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Testing for Diagnosis of COVID-19


December 15, 2020

ASLM in collaboration with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and in partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Amref and Last Mile Health present the Quality Assurance Framework for SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Testing for Diagnosis of COVID-19. This framework aims to provide general technical guidance to African Union Members States on the rollout, establishment, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E) of SARS-CoV-2 Ag RDT interventions so as to effectively and efficiently detect, control and minimise errors in the performance of COVID-19 laboratory testing processes. It describes the core components for quality assurance, resources mobilisation and advocacy for scale up, monitoring, evaluation, learning and accountability for SARS-CoV-2 implementation. AU Member States are encouraged to use the framework as a strategic guiding tool to develop their in-country quality assurance programs for SARS-CoV-2 Ag RDT. This framework is highly recommended to all AU Member States (Ministries of Health & Government Departments), development partners, donor agencies, policy makers, public health experts, implementing partners, laboratory quality management experts, frontline healthcare service providers, and all stakeholders involved in the COVID-19 response. Collaborative efforts by ASLM and our partners are underway to make this available in French and Portuguese languages in the near future.