The second international workshop of the managers of the laboratories of the DREAM program in Africa concluded last week in Maputo. A group of biologists and lab technicians who manage the implementation of quality systems in eight of the largest laboratories of the DREAM program were present at the workshop. The purpose of the event, which was financed by the Italian Episcopal Conference, was yet another occasion to confront each other, share challenges and experiences and find common solutions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the laboratories.

Each manager presented evaluations of the activities of the past year for their own laboratory, paying particular attention to the integration with the national networks and the work carried out to increase the number of health centers reached, at the same time maintaining the quality of the services offered and the analytical response times. The managers of the quality systems were able to analyse and compare the progress achieved in terms of the implementation of the ISO15189 – 2012 regulation, gathering from each other’s experience advice, concrete examples and encouragement to continue their work. Everyone greatly benefitted from meeting and listening to each other again.

The workshop marked another milestone in building upon the collaboration and debates which began last year in Blantyre, carrying on over the course of the whole year through remote contact and communication. An important milestone in constituting a network of professionals who are in growing collaboration, who willingly exchange opinions and advice and who strengthen their own identity as a system of excellence, available not only to all the patients of the DREAM centers, but also to the many other public health centers. These centers are more and more a part of the DREAM laboratories, where they are guaranteed increasing quality and expertise.