The African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) 2023 Conference brings together professionals in laboratory medicine and health care who are focused on improving health care in Africa. The conference theme, “Shaping laboratory systems and diagnostic services for the 21st century: embracing the change,” is an opportunity for experts from various medical fields to share their experiences and showcase the latest advancements in laboratory medicine and policies. The event unites health care professionals to actively contribute to reshaping the future of laboratory medicine in Africa.
ASLM has been deeply involved with the genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Africa. FHI 360 and our partner, the Clinton Health Access Initiative Inc., (CHAI), recognize the timely importance of addressing issues related to strengthening genomic surveillance capacity in Africa. In collaboration with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and ASLM, FHI 360 and CHAI will host a stimulating thought leadership workshop in which international leaders, local partners and others will discuss the state of genomic surveillance in Africa and around the world. Experts will share the latest innovations and technologies in genomics, along with their experiences and lessons learned.
Technical presence
On December 14 from 7–9 a.m. UTC+2, representatives from FHI 360 and CHAI will co-host a satellite seminar, “Transforming Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness: Charting a Way Forward for Genomic Surveillance.”
Additionally, these abstracts have been accepted by ASLM:
| Decentralization of TB Drug Susceptibility Testing to Improve the Diagnosis of Resistant TB in Mozambique (poster) Country: Mozambique Submitter/First Author: Nadia Sitoe Related authors: Diosdélio Malamule, Michael Moore, Erica Christie, Salomon Compaore, Mungai David Ndung’u Related Project: Infectious Disease Detection and Surveillance (IDDS) |
| The Role of AMR diagnostic stewardship in improving quality of specimens received and treatment outcomes: the Ethiopian Experience (poster) Country: Ethiopia Submitter/First Author: Dawit Assefa Wendifraw Related authors: Kassaye Tekie Desta, Ebi Bile, Mungai David Ndung’u Related Project: IDDS |
| Non-Conformance Clearance through an Intensified Mentorship Towards ISO 15189 Accreditation: The Case of Jimma and Hawassa Hospital Microbiology Laboratories, Ethiopia (poster) Country: Ethiopia Submitter/First Author: Dawit Assefa Wendifraw Related authors: Kassaye Tekie Desta, Gebri Alebachew, Degefu Beyene, Bikila Alemu, Naji Mohammed, Asnakech Agegnehu, Seble Tsehay, Geremew Tasew Related Project: IDDS |
| Establishing bacteriology testing capacity in regional laboratory (poster) Country: Guinea Submitter/First Author: Oumou N. Diallo Related authors: Bobo Diallo, Savane Aboubacar, Binta Balde, Adama Conte, Youssouf Sidibé, Mamadou Djouldé Barry, Siba Chavanel, Kaba Kourouma, Mamoudou Condé, Mandiou Diakite, Ebi C. Bile Related Project: IDDS |
| Strengthening Environmental Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Networks: Lessons from Kenya (poster) Country: Kenya Submitter/First Author: Mungai David Ndung’u Related authors: Alexandra Kossi, Molly Cantrell, Eva Muchira, Faith Njugu, Fredrick Oduor, Loicer Odhiambo, David Berendes, Jennifer Murphy, Maya Ramaswamy, Pat Sadate-Ngatchou Related Project: CDC Global Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory and Response Network (GARLRN) |
| Increasing access to COVID-19 laboratory testing in conflict areas in the Philippines (poster) Country: Philippines Submitter/First Author: Soliman Guirgis Related authors: Paola Angeleca Gargantiel Related Project: IDDS |
| Integrating Meningitis Surveillance and Laboratory Data for Efficient and Effective Disease Surveillance and Response in Senegal (poster) Country: Senegal Submitter/First Author: Papa Alioune Sokhna Related authors: Papa Alioune Sokhna, Saikou Oumar Ba, Lindsey Shields, Jean Pierre Diallo, Oumou Kalsom Diallo, Elizabeth Plunkett, Marie Yolande Eugene Related Project: CDC Enhancing Global Health Security Project (EGHS) |
| Laboratory Assessment of Antimicrobial Testing Capacity (LAARC) Checklist Applications to Strengthen Microbiology Laboratory Diagnostic Capacity for Detecting Outbreaks in Kenya County Hospital Laboratories (oral presentation) Country: Kenya Submitter/First Author: Godfrey Ogulla Related authors: Marie Yolande, Elizabeth Plunkett, Erin Luben, Mungai David Ndung’u, Maya Graham, Geofrey Jagero, Jedidah Kahura Related Project: EGHS |
| A Gap Analysis of Sequencing Labs in Zambia: Harnessing the Power of Pathogen Genomics and Bioinformatics to Inform Public Health Policy and Research (oral presentation) Country: Zambia Submitter/First Author: Elvis Sikazwe Related authors: Mpanga Kasonde, Kabengele Siame, Edward Oladele Related Project: EGHS |
| Support for a National Public Health Institution to Establish a Coordinated Wastewater Surveillance Approach in Zambia (poster) Country: Zambia Submitter/First Author: Samuel Kasitu Related authors: Musole Chipoya, Lindiwe Tembo, Clement Phiri, Lugard Sichalwe, Edward Oladele Related Project: EGHS |
| Rapid workforce capacity strengthening for COVID-19 response – an experience from the Philippines (poster) Country: Philippines Submitter/First Author: Jorina Lastima Related authors: Paola Angeleca Gargantiel, Soliman Guirgis, Nisha Marles Related Project: IDDS |
| Impact of Mentorship on Laboratory Assessment of Antibiotic Resistance Testing Capacity (LAARC): The Kenya Experience (oral presentation) Country: Kenya Submitter/First Author: Joshua Odero Related authors: Josiah Njeru, Morfat Okumu, Cosmus Ndara, Samuel Ithathu, Winfred Nyawira, Warda Mohamed, Susan Githii, Mungai David Ndung’u, David Mutonga Related Project: IDDS |
| The Fleming Fund Country Grant, for delivering quality bacteriology services in Nepal (poster) Country: Nepal Submitter/First Author: Ritu Amatya Related authors: Parishan Shrestha, Khagendra Prakash KC, Nabin Paudel, Hari Shankar Joshi, Sanjay Bhandari, Bhagawan Shrestha Related Project: Fleming Fund Country Grant Nepal |
| Antimicrobial resistance surveillance and quality data generation for better decision making in Nepal (poster) Country: Nepal Submitter/First Author: Parishan Shrestha Related authors: Ritu Amatya, Khagendra Prakash KC, Nabin Paudel, Hari Shankar Joshi, Sanjay Bhandari, Bhagawan Shrestha Related Project: Fleming Fund Country Grant Nepal |
