Lab strengthening in Tanzania
Due to a shortage of trained laboratory technicians throughout Africa, patients are often diagnosed on the basis of symptoms rather than on the far more reliable results of proper laboratory tests.
Many health workers are often reluctant to request lab tests, because they are widely known to be of poor quality. This can lead to misdiagnosis, wrong treatments, and, all too frequently, death.
AMREF is presently working to strengthen the capacities of laboratories and clinics in Tanzania with funding from the Center for Disease Control and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
Improved laboratory services have a major impact on patient care: six out of ten diseases most commonly encountered in rural health facilities can be diagnosed locally using simple laboratory tests that are well within the capabilities of those facilities.
Main objectives of the project
- Improve patient diagnosis by upgrading laboratories and training health workers
- Make life-saving medicines and treatments available to some of the world's most vulnerable communities
- Train lab technicians and clinicians side-by-side to facilitate greater communication and collaboration
Key achievements
- We have strengthened the capacities of laboratories and clinics throughout Africa to diagnose and treat urgent threats such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and TB.
- We have created a wide range of refresher courses and training materials for health workers throughout the region.
- AMREF USA provides several scholarships each year for students in the laboratory training program.
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