Date: September 2022 – August 2024
Country : Cambodia

Mid-2024, IQLS in consortium with management4health completed the project for improving laboratory capacities in the health sector for quality-assured diagnostics under the Improving Social Protection and Health (ISPH) initiative, providing access to quality laboratory diagnostic services to the population of Cambodia. The goal was to strengthen quality diagnostics to inform Cambodian clinicians, patients, and public health specialists in providing appropriate patient care and public health response. In collaboration with key government counterparts and stakeholders, IQLS uses a multidimensional approach that addresses laboratory system strengthening at the policy and strategic level while also strengthening the hospital clinical laboratories.

The project focused on 2 following work packages:
Work Package 1: Laboratory System Strengthening
Work Package 2: Implementation of Quality Management Systems (QMS) in 12 national and provincial referral hospital laboratories

To help build capacity in the selected laboratories, collaborative learning and peer reviews (both virtually and hands-on) took place. These trainings allow the laboratory teams to share knowledge and ideas on resolving challenges. The project also aims to support the institutionalization of the mentorship and CamLQMS assessment approach. The LQMS mentors visit and supervise sites to provide support for the implementation of QMS, while the LQMS assessors evaluate sites by implementing the Cambodia Laboratory Quality Management System (CamLQMS) checklist for accreditation.

IQLS carried out the following activities:

  • Conducted a two-week training in Phnom Penh on ISO 19011:2018 and ISO 15189:2022 to build capacity for a team of trained national assessors (20 participants
  • Conducted training on ISO 17043:2023, national EQA implementation, practical EQA
  • Completed further regional and onsite workshops for 5 additional QMS topics;
  • Conducted midline and end-line assessments at the 12 supported sites using the team of trained national assessors;
  • Conducted AST capacity assessment training at the NIPH;
  • Supported the review of National documents as requested by BMLS (e.g. National laboratory Strategy Plan review, update to “Guideline for Complementary Package of Activities 2014 and updated the CamLQMS checklist to align with SLIPTA 2023 checklist), and
  • Conducted training on the updated CamLQMS checklist.

To strengthen LQMS, IQLS developed a training program based on collaborative and practical learning and onsite mentoring, enabling a deeper understanding of site challenges and pathways to success. QMS implementation was sustained through 6 external mentors who supported the project by accompanying the management4health/ IQLS team to conduct regional, onsite and virtual training at the 12 supported sites throughout the project. The 12 laboratories receiving support have improved their quality score by an average of 60 points based on the CamLQMS.

As a result of this project, a National Laboratory Strategy Plan 2023-2030 was created and is awaiting endorsement from the authorities. National biosafety and AST guidelines were updated. The National Biosafety Curriculum was updated and is awaiting MoH endorsement. A CamLQMS checklist was drafted in English. CamLIS was stabilized and its security improved. An isolate report was developed for sterile sites and will be maintained by BMLS after the project closure.