IHVN Quality Improvement staff carrying out Dried Tube Specimen (DTS) production for Daily Internal Quality Control (IQC) for HIV Serology Rapid Testing Points at the IHVN Diagnostic Laboratory, IHVN Campus, Abuja.
To further improve the quality of laboratory services, IHVN was the first to introduce an External Quality Assurance (EQA) program in Nigeria known as the Laboratory Assessment Program Nigeria (LAPN) for IHVN supported laboratories in 2007. This initiative was taken over by CDC to support all PEPFAR supported laboratories in Nigeria through Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN)/AXIOS at the National External Quality Assessment Laboratory (NEQAL), Zaria. Centers for Disease Control handed over NEQAL to IHVN in 2015 and has since provided technical and logistics support to the National EQA laboratory.
IHVN is currently preparing thirteen (13) supported clinical and molecular laboratories for national and international accreditation.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Improvement on the quality of laboratory test results and practices
- Achieving corrective actions in timely manner
- Instituting additional strengthening measures (QA Site monitors).
- Practicing Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI).
- Mentoring laboratory personnel to achieve positive attitudinal change towards Laboratory Quality Management System (QMS).
- Registering 30 supported laboratories for National (MLSCN/MELTNA) certification and accreditation in 2013.
- With support from the FLEMING Fund, IHVN provided the following:
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- Conducted Needs Assessment and Biosafety/Biosecurity Assessment of national reference laboratories and surveillance/sentinel sites for anti-microbial resistance.
- Developed Capacity Strengthening Plans (CSPs) for nine surveillance site laboratories and supported AMR for Human Health.
- Provided EQA (proficiency testing) to Human and Animal Health Laboratories.
- Supporting over 250 laboratories across Nigeria in implementing Quality Management System and EQA/PT for various test menus.
- IHVN’s Research Centre in Plateau State, the Plateau State Virology Research Centre (PLASVIREC), is one of the first laboratories in Nigeria to receive International Accreditation for ISO 15189. The laboratory has maintained this accreditation till date.
- Three molecular laboratories supported by the Institute—Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria, Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe, and Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt, achieved National Accreditation for ISO 15189:2012 as well as ISO 15189:2022 International Accreditation by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS).
- Supporting the National Laboratory Equipment Calibration Centre (NaLECC), MLSCN House, Durumi and the National External Quality Assessment Laboratory (NEQAL), Saye, Zaria in achieving and maintaining international accreditation for their Quality Management Systems (QMS). NaLECC obtained ISO 17025 accreditation through KENAS while NEQAL had a re-assessment by SANAS and maintained the ISO 17043 international accreditation. IHVN provides technical assistance to Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN),
- Bwari General Hospital, Abuja achieved National Accreditation for ISO 15189:2022 from the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN)
- Supporting Post Market Verification (PMV) for invitro diagnostic test kits/cartridges in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Services.
- Supporting Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) Training of trainers (ToT) with support from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC)
- Continued mentorship support to the FMoH trained SMLTAns on laboratory auditing/mentorship and supporting the onboarding training for ISO 15189:2022 and ISO 17043:2023 Standards to SLMTA auditors, master trainers and implementers and well as NEQAL staff
- Supporting the FMoH in documents development and review.
- Supporting the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy, Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP) in EQA/PT panel production, results analysis and report writing
In summary, the QI/QA unit oversees all Laboratory Quality Assurance, Quality Management Systems, Quality Control, Quality Improvement, and Quality Assessment activities which in turn ensures all laboratories generate results that are accurate, reliable, and reproduceable. The unit continues to make progress in accrediting our laboratories for the purpose of achieving the overall wellbeing of our clients.
Unit contact email: [email protected]
