IQLS- Integrated Quality Laboratory Services

22/02/2024

😷 Be ready for the next public health threats by implementing a strong and successful laboratory system in your country! Weakness of laboratory systems is one of the causes of the lack of control over epidemics faced by most countries, as shown by retrospective analyses following recent public health crises, such as Covid-19, Ebola, Influenza variants, antimicrobial resistance, and others.

🔬 Implementation of a simple, reliable and cost-effective laboratory network is not an easy task. It requires strong involvement of all laboratory actors, such as human, veterinary, food and water laboratories, universities, research institutes, and associated authorities and ministries.

🎓 To this end, IQLS is organizing a unique workshop that aims to gather One Health laboratory specialists from different countries facing similar problems and challenges. Participants will meet for a productive 5-day working session to gain valuable insights and develop strategic action plans focusing on critical themes for successful laboratory system implementation.

Location: Lyon, France
🔢 Duration: 5 days
📅 Sessions:
• in French: 09–13 September 2024
• in English: 16–20 September 2024
• in Russian: 23–27 September 2024

More details and registration on our website in English, French and Russian: https://iqls.net/training-workshop/lsa-ws-hub-2024-en/

19/07/2023

Congratulations to the first Moldovan laboratory expert cohort for graduating from the Global Laboratory Leadership Programme !
The GLLP aims to foster and mentor current and emerging laboratory leaders to build, strengthen, and sustain national laboratory systems, within a One Health approach. Our deepest gratitude goes to the participants and mentors who have demonstrated outstanding commitment throughout this program, and welcomed IQLS as the implementing partner. Their achievement is a marker of commitment to improving public health by strengthening laboratory practices. These newly graduated leaders form a vital community for the public health, carrying forward their knowledge and experience gained from the GLLP.

11/07/2023

Congratulation to our Moldova first cohort for finalizing the GLLP program!

Felicitări primului grup de experți de laborator din Republica Moldova care au absolvit Programul Global Laboratory Leadership (GLLP)! GLLP este un program de formare de 24 de luni elaborat pentru a stimula și îndruma manageri de programe de laborator din domeniul sănătății publice pentru a dezvolta, consolida și susține eficiența rețelelor naționale de laborator. Astfel, acești absolvenți se alătură acum unei comunități prestigioase de absolvenți GLLP și vor servi drept promotori ai schimbării și susținători ai unor abordări durabile pentru o capacitate de laborator eficientă și de înaltă calitate în toate domeniile.
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Поздравляем первую группу молдавских экспертов лабораторного дела, окончивших Глобальную программу лидерства в лабораторном деле (GLLP)! GLLP - это 24-месячная программа обучения, направленная на развитие и наставничество профессионалов в области лабораторного дела из всего сектора общественного здравоохранения для создания, укрепления и поддержания эффективных национальных лабораторных служб. Эти выпускники присоединятся к престижному сообществу выпускников GLLP и будут служить движущей силой перемен и защитниками устойчивых подходов к созданию высококачественного и эффективного лабораторного потенциала во всех секторах.
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Congratulations to the first group of Moldovan laboratory experts to graduate from the Global Laboratory Leadership Program (GLLP)! GLLP is a 24-month learning program designed to foster and mentor emerging laboratory leaders from across the public health sector to build, strengthen, and sustain effective national laboratory systems. These graduates now join a prestigious community of GLLP alumni and will serve as drivers of change and advocates for sustainable approaches for high quality and effective laboratory capacity across sectors.
For more information visit, the Global Laboratory Leadership Programme https://www.who.int/initiatives/global-laboratory-leadership-programme

photo: ansp.md

19/08/2022

After the great success of the first session on process management that reached over 👏 200 laboratory specialists 👏 in 40 countries 👏 , is inviting you to join and assist the second part of the webinar series on LQMS, focusing on laboratory assessments on September 8, 2022, 2:30 PM BKK time. 🕝

The second session will introduce the audience to laboratory assessment types, purpose and benefits, present characteristics of effective quality indicators, and review laboratory certification and accreditation.
Dr. Abdoulaye NIKIEMA, Senior Laboratory and QMS Specialist, will be the speaker for this session, with Dr. Shruti Malik MD, MPH, D(ABMM), International Laboratory Specialist, as moderator.

This webinar is open to all laboratory professionals (Managers/ Quality officers/ Department or section heads) who wish to implement a in their workplace.

✅ To for free, click here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_o2lLBxAnTBKE1fRVY5Ex_Q ✅

03/06/2022

👏 We are very proud to announce that international specialist Dr. Shruti Malik has been selected to participate as a speaker and convener in this year’s American Society for Microbiology forum 🦠ASM MICROBE🦠 taking place from 9 to 13 June in Washington, D.C!
ASM Microbe is an excellent to gain insight on the latest , and in diverse fields of .

Dr Malik will be presenting “Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Fever Outbreak in Liberia, Jan 2019 - Dec 2020" at the In-depth Symposium “Tropical Micro Grand Rounds’. The session is scheduled for June 12, 9:15 am EDT in 207A.
She will also be convening an in-depth symposium titled " Public Health implications of diseases: It's time for action" scheduled for June 10, 1:45 pm-3:45 pm EDT in 207A.

If you wish to meet Dr Malik in Washington, feel free to contact us here on to set up a meeting!

To register for the in-person or experience, click here:
https://asm.org/Events/ASM-Microbe/Home

ASM Microbe showcases the best microbial sciences in the world, and provides a one-of-a-kind forum to explore everything from basic microbiology to translation and application.

04/05/2022

A wonderful opportunity to learn and discuss about topics related to in infectious disease by assisting the NRL - Science of Quality Asian Summit on May 23 and 24.

NRL is organizing the Asian Summit with aim to promote the highest quality of infectious disease testing.
The two day meeting will include several regional speakers, and also speakers from who will elaborate on the topic "Interconnectable LIMS and common data management for priority diseases"

For more information and inscription (worldwide), see here : https://www.nrlconference.org.au/

24/03/2022

SEGA-One Health network, Indian Ocean Commission's strong arm in public, animal and environmental health, supports the implementation of the project "Strengthening Regional Health Security and Mitigating the Effects of Epidemics and Pandemics" as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the Indian Ocean countries. This project, phase 4 of the RSIE (RSIE4) is funded by the French Development Agency (in French : AFD - Agence Française de Développement) with additional support from the European Union, EU International Partnerships.
As part of this project, the IQLS- Integrated Quality Laboratory Services team will provide technical assistance within the IOC Health Surveillance Unit (UVS).

Two specific objectives have been set for Strengthening Regional Health Security and Mitigating the Effects of Epidemics and Pandemics:
1. To improve epidemiological surveillance, alert and response systems in IOC Member States and at regional level
2. To strengthen strategic preparedness and response planning mechanisms for pandemics such as Covid-19

The IQLS team is led by Dr. Antoine Pierson, who has relocated to the Mauritius to join UVS as a long-term technical consultant for laboratories. Several short-term consultants (epidemiologist, risk communication specialist, vet lab specialist and others) will provide technical assistance within the project.

This multidisciplinary team will work on several fronts in collaboration with partners and institutions in the region. IQLS will carry out initial assessments of human and veterinary laboratory networks, risk communication, IHR and PVS implementation level, and perform trainings, such as biosafety training, lab system training and others.

01/03/2022

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) tasked IQLS - Integrated Quality Laboratory Services with provision of laboratory support to the Ghana public health laboratory system. Improving Quality Management Systems (QMS) was deemed key to improving quality of testing services in zonal public health laboratories (ZPHLs).

In March 2020, IQLS began supporting implementation of ISO 9001:2015 standards in the Sekondi and Tamale ZPHLs. Based on the findings of a F-LAT baseline audit, a list of corrective actions was generated to address the identified gaps. The following activities were undertaken by IQLS, with support of US CDC and AFENET:
· Trainings: ISO 9001 level 1 and lever 2 trainings, Internal audit training
· Enrolling into EQA programs
· Establishing equipment maintenance and calibration
· Acquiring reference materials and standards
· Providing remote and onsite technical support
· Supporting internal and external audits

As a result, Tamale ZPHL and Sekondi ZPHL were ISO9001:2015 certified for an initial period of 3 years.

This is a major achievement to ensure quality of laboratory test results for patient care and public health purposes in Ghana. This has also boosted the morale of the laboratorians, and a culture of quality is taking shape in Ghana. To ensure sustainability of the established QMS, CDC and will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders at the regional and national levels of the Public Health Division and Ghana Health Service.

To read the full article, click here :https://iqls.net/iso9001-2015-certification-of-zonal-public-health-laboratories-in-ghana/

27/01/2022

As part of the project in Cambodia, a national workshop on human and veterinary laboratory systems was carried out by experts Dr Arsen Zakaryan and Ms Vivian Fensham. The goal of this workshop was to propose and discuss improvements for lab systems based on the previous assessments.
The discussions focused on critical themes for laboratory systems implementation, coordination and regulations, reference laboratories/tiered level, management (staff, training, equipment, biosafety) and QMS & EQA.
To read the full article detailing the discussions and outcomes, click here below:
https://www.sealab.asia/news/one-health-workshop-on-lab-systems-in-phnom-penh/

As part of the SEALAB project Strategy 3 “The laboratory network coordination at the national and international level for human and animal health is active”, it was decided to implement a national ‘One Health’ workshop on human and veterinary laboratory systems to address solutions for filli...

06/01/2022

✨ wishes you a Happy New Year!✨
May it bring peace and good health to all. Thank you for following and supporting us, and thanks to all our team for your efforts! We look forward to continuing to help laboratories and strengthening public health around the world this year!

25/11/2021

Our South American GLLP team of experts (Dr Arsen Zakaryan and Dr Erika Ornelas Eusebio) visited Paraguay earlier this year to introduce the Global Laboratory Leadership Programme ( ). All 25 participants, including representatives from the Ministry of Health (MSPBS), the Central Laboratory of Public Health (LCSP), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the National Service of Quality and Animal Health (SENACSA) were welcoming and eager to launch GLLP in Paraguay. IQLS is very thankful for their implication and support!
During the visit, IQLS experts performed assessments of human and veterinary laboratory systems to identify main strengths and areas of improvement. A One Health debriefing session was held to present preliminary assessment results as well as key recommendations. This session successfully gathered representatives from both human and veterinary sectors, allowing for discussions to initiate deeper collaborations within a approach.

Recently the GLLP national mentors and participants have been selected and the training program on 9 GLLP competencies will be launched soon. One more step towards the implementation of GLLP in the country!

02/11/2021

❗️ is recruiting a part time Veterinary Lab Consultant in Laos ❗️
We are looking for an English speaking Vet Lab Specialist based in Laos to manage and lead the development and provide technical input for the project.
You will find the full job description here attached.
To apply, please send a one page CV and short cover letter following the described procedure.

Feel free to share within your network!

28/10/2021

We are proud to announce that the National Public Health and Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) in Ghana has obtained ISO 15189:2012 accreditation !
Since 2019 IQLS experts Mr. Raymond D Fatchu, Mr. Julius Manjengwa and Ms. Beatrice van der Puije have been working in Accra, Ghana to support the National Public Health and Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) in obtaining its accreditation to the international standard, ISO 15189:2012.
The ISO 15189:2012 standard specifies requirements for quality and competence in medical laboratories.
To obtain the accreditation, the NPHRL strengthened its human resource capacities for laboratory quality management systems implementation and improved quality assurance of testing services through verified testing method, calibrated and serviced equipment. The ISO 15189 accreditation contributes significantly to enhancing the status of the NPHRL in its role as the reference laboratory in Ghana.
The Director Public Health, Dr Franklin Asiedu Bekoe, expressed his contentment about this achievement saying : “You see, I like labs. They form a key part of surveillance. Now that the lab is accredited, I am happy”
The NPHRL is now on the KENAS website as one of their accredited medical laboratories.
You can download the certificate and the accreditation here : https://kenas.go.ke/cabs/medical-laboratories/
This mission was carried out for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA).

12/10/2021

The Global Laboratory Leadership Programme was officially launched this year in Yerevan, Armenia, with the team: Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Antoine Pierson, National Laboratory Specialist Zaruhi Davtyan and International Laboratory Specialist Dr. Arsen Zakaryan and Senior Laboratory Specialist Dr. Obert Kachuwaire on-site to lead and oversee the introduction of the program and carry out the first trainings.

Significant progress has already been made: the GLLP Working Group has been established, 10 national mentors and 18 national participants have been selected and the first online and face to face trainings to both mentors and participants on the Introduction to GLLP and Management modules have been carried out.

The GLLP Armenia Working Group strongly supports the sustainability of the program, requesting to convert the GLLP into a certificate or diploma program.
In October and November 2021, the next training sessions on the competency will take place.

We would like to thank the GLLP Armenia Working Group for their continuous support and provision of an ideal framework for decision making and monitoring of the program, the important role of ANAU in assuring GLLP sustainability and of course the strong support of all GLLP partners : , Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), World Health Organization (WHO), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, World Organisation for Animal Health and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

30/09/2021

Earlier this year, as part of the Global Laboratory Leadership Programme ( ) implementation in South America, IQLS Senior Laboratory Specialist Dr. Arsen Zakaryan and Veterinary Laboratory Specialist Dr. Erika Ornelas-Eusebio visited Ecuador to introduce the GLLP programme and conduct an assessment of human and animal health laboratory systems using a approach. Currently the project is moving forward and mentors and participants are in the process of being selected.

We appreciate the warm welcome and implication of National Institute for Public Health Research (INSPI) and Agriculture Quality Assurance Agency (AGROCALIDAD), national agencies responsible for public health, animal health and phytosanitary, and the motivation of the GLLP Working Group and GLLP partners for moving this project forward!

14/09/2021

Big event for and ! In January 2021, an IQLS office was created in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso to best support new and ongoing projects and partners in Africa. The main mission and role of this new office is to oversee and manage activities performed in Africa under the CDC Cooperative Agreement awarded to IQLS in September 2020. IQLS Africa will implement activities specifically in Burkina Faso, Liberia and Ghana, but also across all of Africa.

If you haven’t been in touch with our IQLS Africa team yet, here is a short presentation :

•Dr. Abdoulaye NIKIEMA – International Senior Laboratory Specialist in the role of Chief Executive Officer of IQLS Africa.

•Dr. André COULIBALY – National Laboratory Specialist implementing the GLLP program in Burkina Faso and Togo as well as creating and strengthening national EQA programs and providing project management linked to laboratory activities.

•Dr. Yiyé Nagalo – Laboratory Specialist managing all EQA activities for IQLS and Quality Management for IQLS Africa.

• Aïda Barro – Project Coordinator in charge of organising the implementation of IQLS projects and activities in Africa as well as facilitating the working relationship between technical referents, consultants, providers, sub-contractors, clients/funders, beneficiaries and IQLS Headquarters.

•Yasmina Triandé – as Administrative & Logistics Assistant handling procurement and missions organisation, and also maintaining the liaison between suppliers, IQLS Africa and IQLS headquarters in Lyon

Feel free to contact them for any inquiries!

06/09/2021

is proud to be part of the Global Laboratory Leadership Programme implementation! The goal of GLLP is to foster and mentor current and emerging laboratory leaders to build, strengthen and sustain national laboratory systems using the approach.
The GLLP was founded through a multisectoral collaboration of six leading international organizations, including Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), World Health Organization (WHO), CDCC, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - ECDC, World Organisation for Animal Health and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). In close collaboration with CDC, IQLS provides technical expertise and support to help fulfil GLLP’s vision of empowering national laboratory systems across the globe by implementing the programme and carrying out trainings for laboratory leaders in various countries.
To read more about the programme, follow the link: https://www.who.int/initiatives/global-laboratory-leadership-programme

01/09/2021

This year back to school for means launching the digital transformation for over 80 training courses initially created for face to face trainings in countries around the world, to help strengthen laboratory capacities. They will be converted to an interactive, digital format to make knowledge accessible anywhere, anytime.