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Join us on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, from 16:00 to 17:00 East Africa Time for our LabCoP Extended ECHO Session as we launch the ASLM Guidance Document on the Establishment and Implementation of National Certification Programs (NCP) for ISO 15189 Compliance in Medical Laboratories in Africa.
Strong laboratory quality management systems are fundamental to delivering reliable diagnostics, strengthening disease surveillance, improving patient safety, and building resilient health systems. While initiatives such as SLIPTA have accelerated quality improvement across Africa, many laboratories continue to face challenges in progressing toward ISO 15189 accreditation due to fragmented quality systems, limited mentorship, workforce shortages, and inconsistent national implementation.
The ASLM National Certification Framework (NCF) addresses these challenges by providing a structured, country-led pathway that enables laboratories at all levels to progressively strengthen their Laboratory Quality Management Systems (LQMS) and advance toward ISO 15189 compliance. The framework integrates standardized assessments, tiered certification, mentorship, workforce development, and continuous monitoring within existing national health policies and regulatory systems, ensuring sustainable, nationally owned laboratory quality improvement.
This extended ECHO session will introduce the newly developed guidance document and demonstrate how National Certification Programs can accelerate laboratory quality improvement, strengthen national laboratory systems, build a competent workforce, and institutionalize quality as a core component of resilient health systems. Participants will also hear practical experiences from Zimbabwe on implementing national quality assurance initiatives and lessons that can inform similar efforts across Africa.
Opening Remarks:
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Dr Juliana Ndasi, Portfolio Lead, ASLM
Presenters:
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Dr Edwin Shumba, Portfolio Lead, ASLM
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Mr Michael Makaya, National Quality Assurance Coordinator, Department of Laboratory Services, Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Zimbabwe
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Mr Clemence Simango, Quality Assurance Advisor, University of Zimbabwe Clinical Trials Research Centre (UZ-CTRC) – Laboratory Systems Strengthening
🔗 Register for the session at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_avmlRNkASu2Qvm8M7HqfcA
Meeting ID: 830 2088 1988
Passcode: 002663
Find your local time: https://aslm-org.zoom.us/u/kdo8NPu1x2
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