Dar es Salaam: Tanzania’s Nationwide Public Well being Laboratory (NPHL) has achieved full accreditation for measles and rubella testing, marking a serious milestone in world well being efforts. This accreditation permits the lab to independently conduct and report exams, turning into a pivotal member of the WHO laboratory community.
This was affirmed in an onsite evaluation led by World Well being Group (WHO) with help from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) and Uganda Virus Analysis Institute (UVRI).
Dr. Charles Sagoe Moses, the Nation Consultant, praises this achievement as a big step in Tanzania’s dedication to eliminating measles and rubella, “Tanzania’s journey in direction of eliminating measles and rubella highlights a outstanding success story of laboratory development and dedication. WHO has been supporting the laboratory all through the method of accomplishing accreditation by offering coaching, technical help, and monetary help. The nation’s dedication and progress on this space function an inspiring instance for world well being initiatives”.
Earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic, Tanzania’s NPHL achieved ISO 15189:2012 accreditation from SADCAS, enhancing its diagnostic capabilities. The lab’s capability was bolstered by implementing measles and rubella ELISA serological testing and referring samples for genotyping to the Uganda Virus Analysis Institute (UVRI). The COVID-19 pandemic led to lowered testing on account of workers redeployments and turnover.
Regardless of these setbacks, Tanzania centered on rebuilding its laboratory capabilities. By 2021, a collaborative coaching program involving WHO, CDC, UVRI, Nationwide Institute for Communicable Ailments (NICD), and the Victorian Institute for Infectious Ailments improved lab efficiency, together with serology testing and knowledge administration via a complete coaching and mentorship program. This initiative efficiently educated 10 laboratory scientists in serology testing and knowledge administration, resulting in notable enhancements in laboratory efficiency and profitable completion of WHO Exterior High quality Assessments (EQA).
Between 2022 and 2024, the NPHL aligned with the WHO Measles and Rubella Laboratory Community to advance molecular characterization. Moreover, the NPHL had efficiently carried out these strategies, genotyping, and sequencing for over 60 measles samples and contributing to the WHO World Measles and Rubella Laboratory Community MeaNS2.
Dr. Dr. Charles Byabamazima, the Coordinator of the WHO Intercountry Help Workplace for East and Southern Africa Measles and Rubella Laboratory underscored; “Tanzania’s dedication to rebuilding and advancing its laboratory capabilities after the COVID-19 disruption stands as a strong instance for the world. The Nation’s dedication to a complete well being agenda is a mannequin for others to observe.”
Other than this vital milestone, the Tanzania’s NPHL additionally obtained the distinguished Measles & Rubella Partnership Champion World Award on the American Crimson Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C earlier this yr. This accolade acknowledged the laboratory’s distinctive management in advancing measles epidemiology via complete molecular detection, considerably enhancing surveillance and elimination efforts.
On his half, Mr. Ambele Mwafulango, the NPHL Laboratory Supervisor famous, “Certainly we’re past pleased for this outstanding achievement. Attaining this aim required a sturdy surveillance system able to detecting each endemic and import-related circumstances, supported by high-quality laboratory testing. By WHO and companions, we’re certainly proud for this development for public well being agenda throughout the Tanzania and the continent”.
Tanzania’s success story in enhancing laboratory testing for measles and rubella demonstrates a big achievement in public well being. By dedication, collaboration, and resilience, Tanzania has strengthened its laboratory capabilities, contributing considerably to the worldwide effort to get rid of these ailments and enhance well being outcomes for youngsters and households.