Context
Mali is one of over 50 countries involved in the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), which was launched to help improve protection against infectious disease threats worldwide.
The DJOMI project is part of the GHSA.
Aim
The project’s goal is to help the Malian government develop a sustainable public health response to infectious disease outbreaks and other global health security challenges.
Activities
The DJOMI project contributes to capacity building in Mali in order to:
- Prevent, detect and respond to epidemic diseases;
- Strengthen cross-border health security;
- Address public health emergencies of international concern.
Achievements
Training
In 2016, two training sessions on biosecurity, biosafety and risk management were attended by 39 laboratory staff members from the reference health centers and hospitals in the Kayes and Sikasso regions and the Bamako district. In addition, 65 laboratory staff members working in these health centers participated in three training sessions on collecting, packing and transporting biological samples in Mali.
Two training sessions on how to safely transport infectious substances taught participants about transporting biological samples in compliance with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
A World Health Organization (WHO) specialist led these training sessions for 30 people from Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal and Togo.
During one training session, 21 out of 25 Malians participants reveived certification.
In addition, 33 laboratory staff members (from the Kayes and Sikasso regions and the Bamako district) received training about bacterial identification and antimicrobial resistance during two different sessions.
Laboratory evaluations
75
Laboratories audits and assessments
The project included audits and assessment of biomedical laboratories as part of the effort to improve healthcare systems. After a nationally-approved laboratory evaluation grid was put in place, assessors visited 75 laboratories in the Kayes and Sikasso regions and the Bamako district. They provided feedback about each laboratory’s strong points and where improvements should be made, and they offered suggestions.
Thirteen people learned how to use the SLIPTA checklist (Stepwise Laboratory Improvement Process Towards Accreditation) developed by the WHO. Eleven experts were qualified to conduct audits, which will improve laboratory management.
Lastly, 350 triple packaging boxes for the transport of Class A infectious substances (biological samples suspected of being highly pathogenic) were purchased and distributed to health facilities and research institutes in the Bamako district and the Kayes and Sikasso provinces.
Partners
Operational:
- Catholic Relief Services
- Mali Health, an NGO
- Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene
- Mali’s National Public Health Research Institute (INPS)
- African Society for Laboratory Medicine
- Malian Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity
- West African Network of clinical laboratories (RESAOLAB)
Funder:
- CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) via Catholic Relief Services, an NGO