Situation

An External Quality Assessment (EQA) program is a fundamental tool for quality evaluation and improvement in clinical laboratories. EQA programs reduce inter-laboratory variation and analytical errors and improve state-of-the-art lab processes, all of which inspire consumer confidence in services provided by participating laboratories.

In Nigeria, a critical component of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is focused on building health system capacity and effectiveness in laboratory testing and validation. A strong and supportive laboratory network was essential for Nigeria to scale HIV-related prevention, diagnosis, care, and treatment services.

Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Akesis Health Nigeria worked to create Nigeria’s first National External Quality Assessment Laboratory (NEQAL), housed in the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre (NTBLTC) in Zaria.

Solution 

Akesis Health Nigeria collaborated closely with the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) to establish NEQAL as the EQA facility for all PEPFAR in Nigeria.

To achieve this, Akesis Health Nigeria developed a phased and progressive approach which included the implementation of readiness assessments and evaluations to ensure all phases of the development process were established and operational prior to advancing.

The approach ensured that all stakeholders had a broad and comprehensive understanding of the purpose of the EQA center at the onset. The center’s operations were initiated following the renovation of the facility, the installation of laboratory equipment, and the development of standard operating procedures and training. After refining processes and procedures, the center expanded the number of labs it served and increased its panel portfolio. The final phase is certification from the WHO/AFRO Stepwise Accreditation program and the transition to the government for ongoing management and leadership.

To further support the creation of this accredited lab, Akesis Health Nigeria developed a set of standard operating procedures, policies, and protocols, planned and arranged a comprehensive MLSCN staff training, formed relationships with international EQA sample providers to provide required samples, and provided technical assistance to ensure the quality of panel distribution.

Results

Akesis transferred the full management of the center to MLSCN. They assisted NEQAL in seeking accreditation through WHO/AFRO’s Stepwise Accreditation process, a certification that advances African laboratories towards internationally recognized ISO 15189 accreditation, which it achieved in 2013.