Since 2009, the University of Washington’s I-TECH has worked with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Côte d’Ivoire (CI) Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene (MSHP) to strengthen laboratory information systems at the national and regional level. A project funded by the CDC from 2016-2021 is enabling I-TECH to expand its support to the MSHP to strengthen the laboratory system as a whole.

I-TECH support to CI aims to develop and implement targeted interventions designed to: strengthen national laboratory policies and procedures; improve training programs for laboratory staff; strengthen biosafety and biosecurity practices; support laboratories seeking Quality Management System (QMS) and HIV testing certification; support expanded use of laboratory information systems and their data for decision making; and support blood safety interventions and accreditation of national blood transfusion service points.

With I-TECH support to CI, adoption of an open-source electronic laboratory information system (eLIS) has already resulted in improved efficiency and accuracy of laboratory data collection and reporting. Over 50 national, regional, and general hospital laboratories have implemented eLIS systems.

Program Highlights