Who We Are - African Society for Laboratory Medicine

The African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) is an independent, international, not-for-profit organisation founded in March 2011 in Addis Ababa that coordinates, galvanises and mobilises relevant stakeholders at the local, national, and international levels to improve local access to world-class diagnostic services and ensure healthy African communities now and for the long-term. ASLM is the first pan-African society for laboratory professionals, endorsed by the African Union (AU) and supported by multiple African Ministers of Health through its Ministerial Call for Action.

ASLM Vision and Mission

Vision: A healthier Africa through access to quality laboratory services for all.
Mission: To improve clinical and public health outcomes in Africa by enhancing professional laboratory practice, science and networks.

ASLM Strategic Pillars

Based on the partnership and network centred approach, ASLM works on five functional pillars:

Laboratory Networks: Strengthen laboratory networks and systems to support the delivery of clinical and public health functions.
Laboratory Workforce: Strengthen the laboratory workforce in Africa.
Quality of Laboratory Services: Improve the quality of laboratory services towards accreditation based on national, regional and international standards.
Regulatory Systems: Promote and support harmonised national and regional regulatory systems for diagnostic products, technologies and services.
Communication & Knowledge Management: Strengthen data collection, analysis and sharing capacity, communication platforms and advocacy to promote the laboratory profession and contribute to evidence-based laboratory medicine in Africa.

ASLM serves the community of laboratory professionals, as well as networks of public health laboratories delivering clinical and public health functions in Africa. ASLM serves the global health agenda for the laboratory sector in Africa by supporting the efforts of Africa CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) and Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.

The primary goal of ASLM is to promote the value of all medical laboratories and laboratory networks in Africa within all sectors including; Ministries of Heath, National Public Health Institutes, research laboratories, universities and other tertiary institutions, private medical laboratory sector, and National Laboratory Professional Associations as an essential resource to improve the overall health status of Africa. ASLM’s expertise includes, support for the development of specialised diagnostic technology, international accreditations, and quality assurance, a neutral convener of international conferences on critical issues, and fostering development of laboratory workforce programs to meet the growing needs of national laboratory systems.

ASLM strives to achieve its goals and objectives by coordinating and synergising partnerships, and advocating for and facilitating cost-effective interventions for laboratory strengthening. ASLM brings together programs, expertise, institutions and laboratory professionals to catalyse new initiatives and processes toward improved laboratory capacity on the continent.

Since its inception, ASLM has recognised the WHO Resolution AFR/RC58/R2 for strengthening public health laboratories in the African region and the 2008 Maputo Declaration on Strengthening of Laboratory Systems. ASLM has been working collaboratively with government, local and international organisations, implementing partners, and the private sector to advance medical laboratory capacity, in alignment with the priorities of WHO-AFRO, UNAIDS, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and large global health programs such as President Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Following the evolution of the global health landscape, ASLM is also aligning its strategy with that of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and with the goals of the Global Health Security Agenda in support of the implementation of core capacities relevant to the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) and the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

ASLM is a Certified Public Charity.

We AreASLM

Ministerial Call for Action

In December 2012, at the inaugural international conference of ASLM in Cape Town, South Africa, ASLM achieved an important step on the path to accomplishing their strategic vision goals. ASLM uniquely brought together African Ministers of Health to debate the challenges to laboratory workforce, regulation of diagnostics products and policies to govern accreditation. Together, the Ministers released an unprecedented Call for Action. ASLM has

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ASLM Leadership Board of Directors

Mr Nqobile Ndlovu, MPH

Chief Executive Officer

Mr Nqobile Ndlovu, the Chief Executive Officer of the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), is a seasoned public health professional with over two decades of experience. He has successfully led continent-wide laboratory strengthening programs, advocating for the highest standards of quality in public health laboratories. Mr. Ndlovu has spearheaded laboratory strengthening programs not only in Africa but also in the Caribbean region. His career includes serving as the Program Coordinator at AFENET and as Assistant Field Coordinator for the Master in Public Health (FETP) training program at the University of Zimbabwe. He holds a degree in medical laboratory sciences and a master’s degree in public health, both earned at the University of Zimbabwe.

Mr Joshua Mwangi, MBA, CPA

Chief Operating Officer

Mr Joshua Mwangi, is ASLM's Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Mwangi has extensive expertise, particularly in leading continent-wide operations with proficiency , excellence and cross-cultural competence. Notably, in his role as the Regional Director of Operations at The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), he provided oversight for operations in 12 African countries. Widely recognized as an expert in development operations, Mr. Mwangi excels in developing people, fortifying systems, and aligning policies with the intricate demands of day-to-day responsibilities in the field. His qualifications include an MBA in Finance, CPA (K), and certification in Project Management for Development.

Dr Talkmore Maruta, PhD

Ag Director of Programs

Dr Talkmore Maruta, is the Acting Director of Programs, brings over two decades of distinguished expertise in public health and medical laboratory management. Dr. Maruta has contributed to the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), East Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). He received a 'Distinguished Leadership' award at ASLM2012 and was named the 'Best Employee' in the World Bank-supported Southern Africa TB Health Systems Strengthening (SATBHSS) in 2019. He holds a PhD in Public Health, an MPH, an MBA, a BSc (Hons) in Medical Laboratory Sciences, and a Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy.

Mr Fumbani Chiumia, FCCA, CA(MW), BAcc

Director of Finance

Mr Fumbani Chiumia, serving as ASLM's Director of Finance, brings over a decade of extensive experience in financial management. His leadership journey includes pivotal positions at the KNCV TB Foundation, such as the Senior Finance and Administrative Manager for the USAID Challenge TB Project in Malawi. Additionally, he served as the Financial Controller for Eaton Towers Lilongwe Limited, a UK telecoms assets management company, and as the Finance and HR Manager for Land O’Lakes International Development Division Malawi Office. Recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) in the UK, Mr. Chiumia's expertise lies in navigating and excelling within the intricacies of financial operations and management.

Ms Megan Kelly, MPH

Director of Business Development

Ms Megan Kelly, Director of Business Development at ASLM, brings over a decade of global health experience, specializing in HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child health. As a business development and resource mobilization expert, she has worked in more than a dozen countries across Africa and Asia developing innovative programs supported by a diverse range of donors. Most recently, Ms. Kelly served as Head of Business Development for a South African organization providing digitally-enabled HIV, SRH, and GBV services. Holding a Master of Public Health from Tulane University, she integrates her expertise from both humanitarian and development sectors to design impactful health programs addressing the needs of vulnerable communities.

Ms Nelly Rwenji

Senior Brand and Communications Manager

Ms Nelly Rwenji, the Senior Brand and Communications Manager at ASLM is an adept force in brand and communications management. She brings over a decade of experience in elevating brand prominence. Formerly Chief Officer for Corporate Communication and Marketing at GDC Kenya, renown for her visionary leadership and innovative communication solutions. A career narrative marked by the stories she's told, the brands she's built, and the influence she's curated. She holds a Master’s degree in Corporate Communications and a Bachelor's degree in Communication (PR) from Daystar University, she is Certified Public Relations Analyst (CPRA), a fellow of the American Academy of Project Management (FAAPM) and a member of the Public Relations Society of Kenya.

Ms Lebohang Chakache

Senior Human Resources Manager

Ms Lebohang Chakache is a versatile HR professional and currently serves ASLM as the Senior Human Resources Manager. With over a decade of management level experience in HR operations, she is dedicated to delivering talent management solutions that promote a culture that is conducive to the achievement of organizational goals. Lebohang holds a Bachelor of Honors degree in Industrial Psychology from the University of the Free State and an MBA in Human Resources Management from the University of Zambia. Of the idea that “it is not organisations that build people, but rather people that build organizations”, her passion lies in improving overall employee experience and cultivating the potential of organizations and individuals alike.