adminHerald Reporter
Sadc countries must strengthen support for laboratory services to improve healthcare delivery system within member states, a senior Government official has said. The Secretary for Health and Child Welfare, Dr Gerald Gwinji told participants at the third annual meeting of Sadc laboratory specialists that strengthening laboratory services enhanced efficiency and cost effective patient care.
“Laboratories are a key component of the health delivery system. They play a key role in disease diagnosis, monitoring treatment, disease surveillance and research.”
He said laboratory professionals needed to collaborate with clinicians in order to facilitate efficient and cost effective patient care.
“Laboratory results are required to guide patient care as well as monitor the effectiveness of treatment,” Dr Gwinji said.
“It is of critical importance that a good relationship exists between the laboratory and the clinician to the benefit of patients.’’
The meeting sought to look at the importance of laboratory services and how they could help member states to tackle malaria, HIV and Aids and tuberculosis.
“The control and eventual elimination of the conditions requires the concerted efforts of complementing teams of relevant experts. That in turn depends on access to competent diagnostic laboratories within member states.”
He hailed the Zimbabwe National Quality Assurance Programme (ZINQAP) for being selected to become the centre of excellence in the Sadc region. The centre accredits laboratories and offers training in laboratory management to help professionals to improve their services.
Online Reporter