Building a Stronger Laboratory Workforce to Advance Quality and Accreditation Across West Africa

When an outbreak occurs, strong laboratories are essential for detecting diseases quickly, confirming cases accurately, and guiding an effective response. Yet laboratories are only as strong as the people who manage them.

To help strengthen laboratory systems across West Africa, the International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI), in partnership with the U.S. CDC implemented two regional Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) Training-of-Trainers (TOT) workshops in 2026. The initiative brought together 40 laboratory professionals from 16 West African countries to build a network of experts capable of improving laboratory quality systems and supporting accreditation efforts throughout the region.

SLMTA is a globally recognized quality improvement program that helps laboratories implement practical quality management systems and work toward international accreditation standards. Since its launch, SLMTA has been implemented in more than 1,643 laboratories across 56 countries and has helped over 400 laboratories achieve accreditation. Accredited laboratories produce reliable and accurate test results, helping health officials detect outbreaks earlier, make better decisions, and improve patient care.

The first workshop was held in Monrovia, Liberia, April 13-24, 2026, for English-speaking countries and brought together 16 participants from Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria,  Senegal, and Sierra Leone. A second workshop was held in Saly, Senegal, May 18-29, 2026, for French-speaking countries and included 24 participants from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo. Participants represented Ministries of Health, National Public Health Laboratories, National Public Health Institutes, veterinary laboratories, research institutions, and U.S. CDC country offices.

The training emphasized hands-on learning. Participants practiced delivering SLMTA modules, received coaching from experienced mentors, worked through real-world quality improvement challenges, and visited accredited laboratories to observe quality management systems in practice. By the end of the intensive two-week program, participants had gained the skills and confidence needed to train and mentor others in their countries.

The impact of the initiative extends far beyond the 40 participants who attended the workshops. Each graduate now has the capacity to support laboratories in implementing quality management systems, improving testing accuracy, strengthening disease surveillance, and advancing accreditation efforts. As these trainers return to their countries and train additional laboratory staff, the benefits will multiply across the region. While completion of SLMTA training does not guarantee accreditation, it is an important step toward achieving it. More importantly, it helps laboratories establish the quality systems needed to consistently produce accurate and reliable results. One participant from Liberia commented that "the true value of SLMTA TOT is not in the training room but in the transformation it inspires within laboratories and the health system they serve".

Strong laboratory systems are critical for detecting and responding to diseases such as Ebola, Mpox, cholera, yellow fever, and other emerging health threats. By increasing the number of trained SLMTA facilitators in West Africa, IANPHI, and U.S. CDC are helping countries improve outbreak preparedness, strengthen diagnostic services, and build a regional network of laboratory professionals who can sustain progress toward quality and accreditation, helping protect the health of millions across the region.