Nigeria has recorded significant improvements in its laboratory and diagnostic systems, although gaps in diagnostic capacity and quality assurance remain a challenge to national health security.
The World Health Organization’s Joint External Evaluation (JEE) report of 2023 identified notable strengths and persistent bottlenecks within Nigeria’s diagnostic network.
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According to the report, Nigeria’s overall health security readiness score increased from 39 per cent during the country’s first evaluation in 2017 to 54 per cent in the second assessment.
Despite the progress, the JEE identified continued gaps in laboratory diagnostic capacity and quality systems that require sustained attention.
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Against this backdrop, the Laboratory Optimization Team recently held a strategic review meeting with representatives of Sydani Group and Erba Mannheim to assess lessons from the Anambra State Laboratory Optimization Project (ASLOP) and inform the next phase of the Laboratory Optimization Project.
The meeting examined factors affecting laboratory performance and utilisation, including facility readiness, clinician and patient engagement, sample transportation, monitoring and evaluation, sustainability, and government ownership.
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The stakeholders emphasised the need to move beyond isolated interventions towards strengthening the systems that enable laboratories to operate effectively and sustainably.
Building on the experience from Anambra State, the initiative aims to strengthen laboratory systems, improve utilisation of diagnostic services and ultimately contribute to better health outcomes across Nigeria.