Clinical and public health laboratory services are essential; however, they are sometimes neglected in public health planning in Africa. There is a dire need for Member States to develop and implement comprehensive national laboratory policies and strategic plans that will enable coordination and integration of laboratory assets in their countries.
Africa CDC is engaging African Union Member States to strengthen their laboratory systems and networks through the development and implementation of national laboratory strategic plans. To ensure alignment with national needs and priorities, Africa CDC is conducting an electronic survey to collect data on the status of laboratory strategic planning and implementation by Member States and the results will be used to develop targeted actions to address identified gaps. Such actions will include, but not limited to, training of Member States representatives in laboratory strategic planning, laboratory policy-making and setting up of laboratory technical working groups at the country level.
