Regional Workshop on Quality Assurance in Veterinary Laboratories Strengthens Commitment in West and Central Africa

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), hosts a regional workshop aimed at bolstering the quality assurance system in the Network of diagnostic Veterinary Laboratories of West and Central Africa (RESOLAB-WCA) members veterinary diagnostic laboratories across West and Central Africa. The workshop, scheduled from September 12 to 15 September 2023, in Yaoundé, Cameroon, brings together experts, government officials, and laboratory quality assurance managers from , Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Côte d’Ivoire, , Gambie, Guinée, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, , Sénégal, Sierra Leone et Togoto discuss the quality assurance system progress and implementation strategies.

Reliable laboratory results play a pivotal role in disease control and animal health. To ensure the credibility and reliability of these results, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) emphasizes the need for laboratories to operate under a quality assurance system. FAO, along with its partners, is committed to supporting this international obligation in  targeted countries.

Through the RESOLAB-WCA, FAO provides technical assistance to laboratories in the regions to ensure that diagnostic activities adhere to the ISO 17025 standard. This commitment underscores the importance of constant dedication from laboratories to maintain high-quality standards.

Regional approach to laboratory quality assurance

In addition to ongoing field assistance missions, FAO organizes this regional workshop annualy to ensure a harmonized approach to laboratory quality assurance, thereby consolidating achievements and road map activities. This initiative aligns with FAO's commitment to strengthen networks and ensure sustainability, particularly since its transfer to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Mr. Mamadou Niang, the Regional Laboratory Expert for FAO ECTAD-WCA, representing the Regional Manager  emphasized, "Quality Assurance in veterinary diagnostic laboratories is fundamental for safeguarding the health and well-being of animals in West and Central Africa. FAO, in collaboration with its partners, remains dedicated to enhancing the capacity of laboratories in the region to produce reliable and credible results."

Key recommendations

During the workshop and following a series of pertinent  presentations and group works involving concret activities and exemples, recommendations emerged, shaping the path forward for the laboratories in West and Central Africa. First, participants dedicated considerable time to charting the course of national and regional Quality Assurance (QA) roadmaps. These roadmaps, seen as vital blueprints for progress, were presented and meticulously updated. A central focus of the workshop was the comprehensive training on personnel management, aligned with the ISO 17025/2017 standard to enhance competence and skills within the workforce. Another outcome was the official appointment or renewal of Quality Assurance (QA) regional focal points for the period spanning 2023 to 2024. Lastly, participants delved into the development and discussion of documentary models and basic equipment tailored for the implementation of ISO 17025/2017 standards through equipment maintenance and calibration. 

These recommendations, born out of collaborative efforts and shared commitment, pave the way for the enhancement of laboratory quality assurance system in West and Central Africa. They underscore the region's dedication to providing reliable and credible results, ultimately safeguarding the health and well-being of animals.