IGAD, partners move to address shortage of animal health laboratory auditors

Nairobi, Kenya - Efforts are underway to tackle a shortage of qualified animal health laboratory auditors, as regional health bodies warn that gaps in laboratory quality systems could hinder early detection and containment of emerging diseases. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in collaboration with the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), has initiated a five-day regional training program.

This program aims to cultivate a workforce of auditors and trainers, enhancing laboratory quality management systems across participating nations. IGAD's Head of Mission to Kenya, Ambassador Fatuma Adan, highlighted the initiative as a strategic investment in regional health security, emphasizing that preparedness requires robust systems and competent personnel.

Adan stressed that no country can effectively combat health threats independently, highlighting the importance of regional collaboration, information-sharing, and harmonized standards. Kenya’s Deputy Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Romona Ndanyi, noted the shortage of skilled auditors has forced countries to rely on external assistance, which can be costly and delay assessments.

The workshop will impart knowledge on baseline assessments, gap analyses, and mentoring to bolster laboratory quality systems in each participating country. Animal health laboratories play a crucial role in detecting and monitoring diseases that can cross between animals and humans, contributing to food safety, public health, and regional trade.

The training program also aligns with the One Health approach, which unites human, animal, and environmental health authorities to address emerging health threats. ECSA-HC representative Dr. Linus Odawo stressed the need for quality improvement across all sectors, urging participants to disseminate the acquired knowledge and advocate for consistent laboratory standards.

The workshop will involve participants from nine countries, including Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Burundi, with the goal of fostering peer learning and cross-country collaboration to strengthen laboratory systems and enhance disease threat detection and response capacities.