Laboratory experts from across Africa have called for a unified push to improve the quality of testing for Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV across the continent.
This call was made at the conclusion of the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) Special Convention on Diagnostics, held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The convention drew health leaders and policymakers from across the continent to discuss advances and challenges in diagnostic testing.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr.Diana Atwiine called for a practical way forward on the digitalization of labs and centralization of data management for Africa.
“Digitalizing the labs will ensure inter-connectedness leading to a centralized database for Africa. Based on our huge database, it will also enable us to fast-track and leverage Artificial intelligence for improving research and health outcomes” she said.
During the convention, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni received special recognition for his contributions toward quality laboratory services in Uganda, highlighting his commitment to bolstering laboratory infrastructure and services as a critical part of healthcare delivery.
The award underscored Uganda’s strides in improving access to high-quality diagnostics, particularly for infectious diseases such as TB and HIV, which remain major public health challenges.
Dr. Susan Nabadda, Executive Director of Uganda National Health Laboratory Services, emphasized the importance of enhancing diagnostic standards to effectively combat these diseases.
“Quality laboratory services are essential to identifying, monitoring, and managing TB and HIV,” Dr. Nabadda noted. “We must continue to work together across borders to ensure that everyone has access to reliable and timely diagnostics.”
The ASLM convention served as a platform to share insights and build capacity among laboratory experts, with sessions focused on standardizing testing methods, improving accessibility, and ensuring quality assurance.
Many experts stressed the role of high-quality laboratory services as the foundation of effective healthcare systems and called for increased investment in laboratory infrastructure across Africa.
The gathering reaffirmed the critical role of diagnostics in the continent’s healthcare strategy, aiming for a collaborative approach to end the TB and HIV epidemics by enhancing laboratory capabilities and maintaining rigorous testing standards.