IQLS hosted a workshop with academic leaders from the Health Sciences Training Unit (UFR/SDS), of Joseph Ki-Zerbo University of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso on June 1, 2021 to discuss strategies for introducing Global Laboratory Leadership Programme (GLLP) modules into the university’s medical laboratory specialist training program (or ‘D.E.S Biologie Clinique’ in French).

From IQLS, Laboratory Specialists Dr. Abdoulaye Nikièma and Dr. André Coulibaly helped lead the workshop.

In attendance from the university were key heads of departments, professors and lecturers, including: Prof. Jean Sakandé, Coordinator of medical laboratory specialists training; Prof. Rasmata Ouedraogo, Chief of Bacteriology Department; Prof. Elie Kabré, Pedagogical Manager of medical laboratory specialists training; Prof. Idrissa Sanou, Chief of National Hospital Blaise Compaoré Laboratory and Professor of Bacteriology; and Dr. Fabienne Soudre, Lecturer.

Proposed Strategies for Introducing GLLP in Medical Laboratory Training
During the workshop, the goals, objectives and competency framework of the GLLP were presented, and two complementary strategies were proposed on how to best integrate the GLLP into the training program.

The first strategy is to introduce the GLLP into the current 4-year training curriculum for human laboratory specialists, with competencies corresponding to the year of study and seminars organized for each level. Competencies will be considered as free learning units, and be added as a certificate to the diploma of students who participate in the seminars.

The second strategy is to create a University Diploma in Laboratory Leadership and Management, which will start in 2023-2024 academic year. A request should be submitted to academic authorities for the official creation and endorsement of a University diploma that will be open to neighboring countries and various sectors specialists (such as veterinary, environmental, etc).

About the GLLP: Empowering National Laboratory Systems
The Global Laboratory Leadership Programme is a collaboration of six international partner organizations who support the advancement of laboratory systems across the globe. These partners include: the World Health Organization (WHO), the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

They are committed to the vision of laboratory leaders empowering national laboratory systems around the world using a One Health approach to strengthen health security of human, animal, food and water laboratories.

For more information, please see the GLLP website at: https://www.who.int/initiatives/global-laboratory-leadership-programme.