From left: Bryan Kim (Dep. Dir. of CDC-Lesotho & Acting Country Dir.), Kajari Shah (APHL), Kim Lewis (Consultant), Yohannes Eshete (CDC Lab Advisor), US Ambassador T. Matthew Harrington, Lucy Maryogo-Robinson, Sherrie Staley & Pandora Ray (APHL)
Winter 2015
The Lesotho Ministry of Health accepted a national laboratory information management system (LIMS) from United States Ambassador Matthew Harrington in a ceremony on November 7, 2014, that lauded APHL’s contributions as implementing partner on the CDC project.
Phased Approach Links 19 Labs in Nationwide System
Using a phased approach over a four-year period, APHL established an electronic system for exchange of laboratory test results and data at each of the 19 participating laboratories: the National Reference Laboratory, National TB Laboratory and 17 district-based hospital laboratories. All laboratories are linked in a nationwide referral system. The $2.5 million project was funded through the US President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Laboratory data feeds into a central data repository used to inform public health decision making. System capability is robust. In addition to basic applications, such as specimen receipt, results and reporting, the 19 laboratories have implemented use of EQA, QC, inventory management and statistical reports.
Lesotho LIMS Technical Working Group from left: Kim Lewis (consultant), Matoko Mokenyakenya (MOH LIMS Officer), Dr. M. Sefika (vendor), David Mothabeng (MOH), Vish Sethi (vendor), Tsietso Motsoane (MOH), Dave Dooley (software vendor)
Sustainability via Training, On-the-ground Support
To ensure the sustainability of the LIMS system, APHL coordinated training for all laboratory personnel in basic PC skills and the LIMS software, and also trained super users to provide first-line support and Ministry of Health representatives to staff a central help desk.
In a country where HIV prevalence is among the highest in the world, the completed system will deliver critical, life-saving benefits. Access to timely, accurate and reliable laboratory test results will strengthen patient management and care, ultimately saving lives.
100% of the funding for this project came from federal sources.