ASLM Launches Laboratory Quality Management System (LQMS) Implementation Strategy 2025–2029
The ASLM Laboratory Quality Management System (LQMS) Implementation Strategy 2025–2029 outlines ASLM’s coordinated, standardized, and sustainable approach to strengthening laboratory quality management across Africa and beyond. The strategy provides a comprehensive framework for harmonizing LQMS implementation across ASLM programs and supporting countries to institutionalize quality systems within national laboratory structures.
Responding to declining donor funding and the need for country ownership, the strategy shifts LQMS from project-based interventions to nationally embedded systems supported by governance, policy, workforce development, and sustainable financing. It defines six strategic priority areas, including coordination of LQMS activities, standardization of implementation approaches, expansion of training and mentorship, institutionalization of LQMS at country level, resource mobilization, and advocacy.
Through this strategy, ASLM reinforces its role as a continental leader in laboratory quality improvement, supporting Member States to strengthen diagnostic reliability, progress toward national certification and ISO accreditation, and build resilient laboratory systems that underpin health security, universal health coverage, and quality patient care.
Download the ASLM LQMS Implementation Strategy 2025–2029 here
Looking Ahead
Strengthening Health Security Through a Minimum Package of Essential Laboratory and Surveillance Services
The LabCoP will support countries to define and prioritize a minimum package of essential laboratory and surveillance services that must be protected to ensure continuity of care and outbreak preparedness. This will involve a desk review of relevant national documents, an online survey and structured self and facilitated assessments across selected LabCoP countries. Findings will generate actionable intelligence to inform national planning and guide targeted investments from both domestic and external sources in diagnostics, surveillance platforms, and primary health care integration. Stay tuned!
Upcoming ECHO sessions
Some exciting ECHO sessions are scheduled in the coming weeks. Topics will range from the Introduction of new TB diagnostics in Africa: Results of a critical pathway analysis, task shifting policy review: results from a multi-country survey, opportunities for Patient Centric Sampling in African Diagnostics and the dissemination of the LQMS tool kit. These sessions provide opportunities to explore practical solutions and share experiences from across the continent. If you missed earlier webinars, you can catch up in the LabCoP ECHO archive here.