Rubavu, Rwanda
From 11–14 August 2025, the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), in collaboration with Georgetown University (GU) Rwanda and the Ministry of Health Rwanda through the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), is hosting a pivotal health systems strengthening workshop. The four-day technical event aims to guide the development of Rwanda’s National Laboratory Quality Policy and/or Strategic Plan, using the “Guidance for Establishing a National Laboratory Quality Framework” (NLQF), 2nd Edition, 2024—an essential tool for policymakers and health regulators to consolidate Quality Management Systems (QMS) into a cohesive national framework.
Funded by the Fleming Fund, the workshop convenes participants from diverse sectors, including the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Rwanda Agriculture Board, Rwanda Environment Management Authority, Rwanda Standards Board, Rwanda FDA, University of Rwanda College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital, University Teaching Hospitals of Butare and Kigali, King Faisal Hospital, and the Rwanda Forensic Institute. This broad representation ensures that the resulting policy framework will be inclusive, practical, and applicable across human, animal, and environmental health laboratories.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Isabella Mukagatare, Head of Department at the Rwanda Biomedical Center, expressed gratitude to the organizers and highlighted the NLQF’s significance in elevating laboratory services nationwide. She urged participants to engage fully, underscoring that the success of the workshop depends on the active contributions of all sectors represented.
Patience Dabula, EQuAFRICA Project Manager at ASLM, commended Georgetown University, Rwanda Biomedical Center, and all participants for their commitment to developing this crucial document. She reiterated ASLM’s dedication to working with national and international partners to strengthen laboratory systems across Africa through a One Health approach.
Prof. Cyprien Baribwira, Program Director for Georgetown University Rwanda and the Fleming Fund’s country grantee, applauded the strong collaboration with the Government of Rwanda, through MoH/RBC, in making the workshop possible. He also thanked ASLM and facilitators for their technical support, noting the importance of this policy framework for driving sustainable improvements in laboratory quality management.
The NLQF workshop aims to deliver two key outcomes: a consensus-driven National Laboratory Quality Policy/Strategic Plan, and enhanced technical capacity among stakeholders to implement and monitor quality management systems nationwide. By institutionalizing laboratory quality standards across all sectors, Rwanda will be better equipped to provide reliable diagnostics, support disease surveillance, and respond effectively to public health threats.
This initiative represents a significant milestone in Rwanda’s commitment to advancing laboratory quality through a coordinated One Health approach. The success of the workshop will contribute to building a resilient national laboratory network capable of supporting the country’s health priorities for years to come.