The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) has organized a training of trainers on Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) 3 curriculum in Nigeria for laboratory personnel from the Ministry of Health.
The training, which took place in Nasarawa State Nigeria, was aimed at improving the implementation and use of the SLMTA curriculum for continuous quality improvement of laboratory systems in the country.
IHVN Head, Quality Improvement/Assurance Unit, Mrs. Oyebimpe Balogun, said “Laboratories are expected to implement a quality management system to ensure that results generated are accurate, reliable and timely for either diagnosis, treatment management and surveillance for public health purposes. The participants’ capacities are being built to support this across the states.”
She added that “as the participants complete the training, they are added to the pool of National Resource for Laboratory Quality Management System implementation in Nigeria, where their responsibility will include; conducting training audits and mentorship at national, sub-national levels, and in health facilities across the country.”
Deputy Director of Public Health Initiative, Dr. Eke Ofuche, who facilitated sessions during the training, said that the training has virtual and physical components as well as practical sessions to certify the competence of the participants.
“Participants who are certified ought to also train people in their various communities,” he said.
A participant at the training from Imo State Public Health Laboratory, Chukwuemeka Victor, described the training as useful in developing laboratory processes, quality indicators, and prioritization of tasks in the laboratory. “It really opened my eyes to the application of Quality Management Systems. I have had a lot of residual knowledge on Quality Management Systems, but this gave me guidance regarding its implementation.”
The training was funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with Technical Assistance by SLMTA Nigeria Team.”
