This means that a laboratory facility must meet some minimal requirements such as adequate personnel with appropriate qualifications, adequate work space and equipment, water supply and efficient source of power to operate.
In our experience, most laboratories do not meet such requirements. We therefore work to bridge the gaps by carrying out structural upgrade and equipment and reagent supplies to facilities to meet required standards.
Prior to the use of laboratories in health facilities, the unit also ensures that the capacity of personnel are built through various trainings such as Good Laboratory Practice & Safety, HIV Rapid Test and National Algorithm, Quality Management, system equipment operation etc. These trainings are usually done centrally or in the health facilities by competent staff.
The unit is also in the forefront of regular laboratory commodity supplies to all supported health facilities to ensure that services to patients are not interrupted.
As part of supervision and mentoring, staff of the unit monitor inventory of reagents and consumables to minimize wastages and stock outs. To achieve this, each facility sends in report of utilization bi-monthly. Restocking is then done either at the central ware house or at the regional ware houses.
Unit contact email: lab@ihvnigeria.org
A laboratory scientist working in the Chemistry Haematology laboratory at the IHVN Campus in Abuja
