Lessons from the Field

External quality assurance for HIV point-of-care testing in Africa: A collaborative country-partner approach to strengthen diagnostic services

Debrah I. Boeras, Rosanna W. Peeling
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 5, No 2 | a556 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v5i2.556 | © 2016 Debrah I. Boeras, Rosanna W. Peeling | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 31 August 2016 | Published: 17 October 2016

About the author(s)

Debrah I. Boeras, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
Rosanna W. Peeling, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

It is important to consider the role of diagnostics and the critical need for quality diagnostics services in resource-limited settings. Accurate diagnostic tests play a key role in patient management and the prevention and control of most infectious diseases. As countries plan for implementation of HIV early infant diagnosis and viral load point-of-care testing, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has worked with countries and partners with an interest in external quality assurance to support quality point-of-care testing on the continent. Through a series of collaborative consultations and workshops, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has gathered lessons learned, tools, and resources and developed quality assurance models that will support point-of-care testing. The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to the continued advancement of laboratory diagnostics in Africa and quality laboratory services and point-of-care testing.

Keywords

quality assurance; point of care testing; in vitro diagnostics

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