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Implementation of the COVID-19 laboratory testing certification program (CoLTeP), Zimbabwe, 2021
Tendai Chipendo1, Takudzwa Marembo1,2, Clayton Munemo1
1Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, African Union Commission, Roosevelt Street (Old Airport), Addis Ababa, P.O. Box 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Pan African Medical Journal
|October 26, 2022
Summary
The Africa Union Trusted Travel Initiative certifies COVID-19 testing labs using a checklist based on international standards. While most labs performed well in data management, biosafety and quality assurance require improvement.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Laboratory Medicine
- Infectious Disease Control
Background:
- The Africa Union (AU) Trusted Travel Initiative launched in 2021 to bolster health screening across member states.
- It utilizes a digital platform for verifying COVID-19 test results from accredited laboratories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the certification process for laboratories seeking inclusion on the AU Trusted Travel platform.
- To assess the performance of COVID-19 testing laboratories in Zimbabwe against established standards.
Main Methods:
- A checklist derived from ISO15189:2012, ISO15190:2020, and WHO guidelines was employed for laboratory audits.
- Audits involved document review, operational observation, and open-ended questioning.
- Laboratories needed a minimum score of 90% for certification recommendation.
Main Results:
- Between May and September 2021, 26 out of 134 laboratories in Zimbabwe were audited for certification.
- The majority (62%) achieved a 5-star rating, while 38% scored 0-4 stars.
- Highest performance was in test result/data management (93%); lowest in biosafety/biosecurity (73%) and Quality Control/Assurance (71%).
Conclusions:
- Laboratories require enhanced focus on quality assurance programs.
- Investment in biosafety and biosecurity training for laboratory personnel is crucial for continuous improvement.
- Strengthening these areas will ensure reliable COVID-19 testing and data integrity within the AU Trusted Travel framework.
