Nearly eighty attendees took part in the symposium, drawn from RESAOLAB member institutions, health ministries, technical and financial partners and the public and private sectors. The event was organized by the Mérieux Foundation and the network, with support from the French Development Agency (AFD), as phase 3 of the network support project draws to a close.
The meeting was an opportunity to emphasize the significant results achieved in strengthening laboratory systems in the network’s seven West African countries over the past fifteen years, and to exchange views on the prospects for addressing the ongoing and future challenges in the sector. It provided a space for dialogue between key public health decision-makers and stakeholders on the continuation of efforts to ensure robust and sustainable laboratory systems, which are essential for quality of care and global health security.
Promoting the sustainable reinforcement of laboratory systems in West Africa
The symposium was chaired by Dr. Ibrahima Sy, Senegal’s Minister of Health and Public Hygiene. Alternating between plenary sessions, discussion panels, and scientific poster presentations, the day highlighted the major advances in the laboratory systems of the network’s seven West African member countries, which have received support in the areas of governance, training, quality, and epidemiological surveillance.
Four round-table talks provided an opportunity to review the significant achievements and advances in each of these key aspects of laboratory systems and to explore the challenges and opportunities ahead.
- The discussions on governance underlined the leverage that RESAOLAB has provided in advocating for the political will essential for the creation of laboratory departments, as well as the need to support these institutions by formalizing their role and place within the health system and allocating dedicated budgets.
- In terms of training, while disparities between countries remain, initial and continuing training have been strengthened. Both sectors demonstrate a continuing need for resources and infrastructure in order to provide qualified human resources who can integrate into health systems.
- The same observation was shared with regard to the theme of quality: quality is a state of mind that is central to systems, and has benefited from the efforts made to raise awareness. However, various aspects of quality, such as biosecurity/biosafety and maintenance, require dedicated resources to address the challenge of accreditation.
- Speakers also highlighted the growing role of laboratories in epidemiological surveillance, and of laboratory departments in organizing, coordinating and implementing laboratory-based surveillance.
According to Florian Blazy, Minister-Counselor at the French Embassy in Senegal, the key to RESAOLAB’s success has been giving local players the means to implement their strategies. The network, now widely recognized by laboratory stakeholders, provides fertile ground for future cross-cutting projects aiming to further improve public and patient health.
A look back at the third phase of support for the network
A meeting of the international steering committee took place the day before the symposium, bringing together the network’s stakeholders for the final time during this third phase of support. The steering committee meeting is a traditional annual highlight, and an opportunity to take stock of activities and to begin discussions on the prospects for the network’s future actions. Pride and gratitude will remain the keywords of the meeting; toward the Mérieux Foundation, which initiated RESAOLAB, toward the AFD for its financial support – particularly for the third phase of the project – and also toward all the network’s partners and stakeholders working for its success.
As Professor Becaye Fall, representing the Department of Laboratories in Senegal, pointed out, the closing of the project’s third phase is less an end than a new beginning, as the network has renewed its commitment to sustaining momentum over time. The prospects are clear for consolidating the role of laboratories in health systems by mobilizing new funding mechanisms. RESAOLAB is a community of practice, values and vision. The members of the network are determined to continue this collective work on behalf of the countries’ populations.
