ArticleAfrican journal of laboratory medicine2019
A comprehensive district-level laboratory intervention after the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone.
Article in African journal of laboratory medicine, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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The trial behind it
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- Assessment of the Public Health Laboratory Capacity - Sierra Leone, 2021.China CDC weekly · 2025Article
- Invisible and undervalued: A qualitative study of laboratory workers' experiences and perceptions of laboratory strengthening in Sierra Leone.African journal of laboratory medicine · 2024Article
- The "ready-to-hand" test: Diagnostic availability and usability in primary health care settings in Sierra Leone.PLOS global public health · 2023Article
- Community Health Workers in Pandemics: Evidence and Investment Implications.Global health, science and practice · 2022Article
- Competing ethics in a pilot strategy to implement parasitology training and research in post-Ebola Sierra Leone.International health · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak exposed the poor laboratory systems in Sierra Leone. Immense needs were recognised across all areas, from facilities, diagnostic capacity, supplies, trained personnel to quality assurance mechanisms.
objectiveWe aimed to describe the first year of a comprehensive intervention, which started in 2015, in a public hospital's general laboratory serving a population of over 500 000 in a rural district.
methodsThe intervention focused on (1) supporting local authorities and healthcare workers in policy implementation and developing procedures to enhance access to services, (2) addressing gaps by investing in infrastructure, supplies, and equipment, (3) development of quality assurance mechanisms via mentorship, bench-side training, and the introduction of quality control and information systems. All work was performed alongside counterparts from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.
resultsWe observed a strong increase in patient visits and inpatient and outpatient testing volumes. Novel techniques and procedures were taken up well by staff, leading to improved and expanded service and safety, laying foundations for further improvements.
conclusionThis comprehensive approach was successful and the results suggest an increase in trust from patients and healthcare workers.
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