The African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), in close collaboration with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), conducted a 5-day training workshop on internal auditing of quality management systems (QMS) and risk assessment for next-generation sequencing (NGS) facilities from 26-30 August 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya. A total of 23 NGS facility staff members from 11 countries (two from each of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia; and three from Kenya) participated in the workshop.
The goals were to train internal auditors for effective monitoring and evaluation of QMS implementation processes at NGS facilities and to provide feedback for continuous improvement toward accreditation. This workshop also aimed to develop competency in risk evaluation, analysis, and mitigation of potential hazards in NGS facilities. The internal auditing training was based on ISO 15189:2022, ISO/IEC 17025:2017, and ISO 19011 standards, while the risk assessment was based on ISO 22367:2020 and ISO 35001:2019 standards.
The workshop was opened by Mr. Teferi Mekonen, ASLM’s QMS/SLIPTA Program Manager and lead trainer. He acknowledged the collaborative effort between ASLM and Africa CDC in organizing the workshop following the QMS support provided to NGS facilities in 11 countries. He expressed appreciation for the representatives’ participation, noting their commitment despite busy schedules and emergency calls due to the mpox outbreak. He also highlighted the progress in QMS implementation in countries receiving QMS mentorship.
ASLM’s Dr. Aquillah Kanzi and Africa CDC’s Dr. Sarah Mwangi delivered the closing remarks. Dr. Kanzi thanked all participants, facilitators, and mentors for their excellent work and stated that ASLM and Africa CDC are very pleased to witness the significant improvements in QMS implementation at NGS facilities. He said, “this progress is encouraging, and both organizations are exploring ways to support the continuation of this project to ensure that NGS facilities continuously improve their QMS implementation.”
After expressing her gratitude to all involved, Dr. Mwangi emphasized that this collaborative support for QMS implementation has led to a paradigm shift in NGS facilities. She urged NGS facilities to continue implementing QMS until they achieve accreditation. She concluded that, “at this critical time, with the continent facing the mpox pandemic, such efforts will help produce accurate and reliable information necessary for a proper response and ensuring safety everywhere.”