GLLP participants with their certificates
The closing ceremonies for the GLLP program, which were held at the Charles Mérieux Center for Infectious Diseases in Bamako, the Hotel Onomo in Conakry and the Hotel L’Amitié in N’Djamena, were attended by the participants in the training program, as well as their mentors, representatives of the ministries of health in the respective countries, representatives of technical and financial partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American CDC, and representatives of the Mérieux Foundation.
During the ceremonies, the authorities in charge of laboratory systems in each country, as well as representatives of participants and their training mentors, made speeches to highlight the importance of laboratory leadership and management training, before certificates were awarded to those benefiting from the program. The participants received their certificates in recognition of their achievements and the objectives reached as part of the GLLP program.
The 40 laboratory professionals from Guinea, Mali and Chad officially received the GLLP certificates for their projects dealing with the issues identified in their laboratories or institutions, ultimately helping them to strengthen the laboratory system.
The graduation ceremony was organized at the end of two days during which the participants presented the results of their individual projects to the jury. These projects, which were carried out as part of the program, dealt with issues concerning laboratory services, and particularly the pre-analytical stage, quality management and laboratory waste management. The results will be used to support the change process in the participants’ respective laboratories.
In all, 43 projects were carried out, dealing with topics including biosafety, waste management and quality. These projects allowed improvements to be made in laboratory management, as well as strengthening collaboration between health professionals.
About the global program for leadership training in laboratories
Laboratories play an essential role in disease detection, patient follow-up, preventive medicine and health monitoring. Laboratory managers have to make decisions based on evidence and ensure the management of these laboratories. To accomplish their duties successfully, they must have good leadership skills to inspire a process of change and continuous improvement so that high-quality services can be guaranteed.
To fulfill these demands, a consortium of six international organizations was created to develop the Global Laboratory Leadership Program (GLLP). The Mérieux Foundation was selected by the Global Fund to oversee the GLLP program for laboratory professionals in Guinea, Mali and Chad.
Following on from the theoretical part of the training, the GLLP program also covers the application of the newly acquired skills through the development of an individual project. Each participant is supported by a mentor to help them develop and implement their project dealing with an issue identified in the laboratory or in the system. This innovative approach allows the participants to understand the entire process, from design to project management, using the tools they have been given during the course. The project work enhances their abilities to make proposals, get stakeholders involved and support the change process within their organization.