The FEN supported a project conducted by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) to examine the status of microscopy in the areas of Ethiopia stratified for malaria elimination.
Principal Investigator Desalegn Nega (MSc) and his colleagues have published a technical report on the project entitled: ‘Comprehensive External Assessment of Proficiency of Malaria Microscopists and Laboratory Capacity in Districts Stratified for Malaria Elimination in Ethiopia.’ The report identifies low competency among malaria microscopists, particularly in species identification, and poor to moderate capacity of laboratories to undertake malaria microscopy. The report concludes that these laboratory issues present an obstacle to the elimination of malaria and it recommends investment into the training of microscopists and into laboratory capacity. A copy of the report is available in the ‘Projects’ section of this website
The FEN is delighted to have been able to support this important project, which illustrates the importance of high-quality laboratory medicine services in major public health programmes.