NHLDS Hosts the Regional Training Workshop on International Health Regulations
17th-21st FEB, 2025 - Kampala Uganda
NHLDS hosted the Regional Training Workshop on International Health Regulations (IHR) focused on strengthening laboratory core capacities for outbreak preparedness, response, and recovery. The training, organized by the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) in collaboration with NHLDS, brought together laboratory professionals and public health leaders from 12 countries across Africa.
The workshop was officially opened by the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Charles Olaro, alongside NHLDS Commissioner Dr. Susan Nabadda. In his remarks, Dr. Olaro emphasized the importance of preparedness in managing public health emergencies.
“This training comes at a critical time when the world is facing increasing health threats. Strengthening laboratory systems is essential in our ability to detect and respond to outbreaks swiftly. Our ability to manage epidemics starts with robust laboratory systems. By investing in training and standardizing practices, we are equipping our experts with the skills necessary to safeguard public health,” he said.
The workshop also aimed at;
Enhancing the skills and knowledge of laboratory personnel in targeted countries to detect, diagnose, and respond to epidemic-prone diseases.
Supporting the implementation of IACET-accredited training materials and the AU CDC guidance on building testing capacity for epidemic-prone diseases.
Promoting strategies and practices that improve decentralized testing, ensuring timely and equitable access to diagnostic services.
Strengthening IHR laboratory core capacities in alignment with global and regional frameworks to enhance preparedness, response, and recovery efforts during public health emergencies.
This is in alignment with the Africa CDC guidelines on strengthening testing capacity and is expected to improve laboratory networks in the participating countries.
Participants engaged in practical sessions and discussions focused on implementing best practices and improving regional collaboration.
The training utilized materials aligned with the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) accreditation requirements, ensuring high-quality and standardized training delivery. The goal is to promote the adoption of these materials to strengthen decentralized laboratory testing and systems, advancing universal access to laboratory services and improving pandemic response and recovery capabilities.
ECSA-HC in collaboration with the National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS) are implementing a regional Integrated Laboratory Systems Strengthening (ILSS) project that is supporting 21 countries namely: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe to improve laboratory systems in the region.
