Arba Minch University's College of Medicine and Health Sciences in collaboration with Australia's Menzies School of Health Research successfully hosted a comprehensive three day training program on Microscopic Malaria Diagnosis from July 10-12, 2024. The training convened skills of medical laboratory technicians to diverse health facilities including AMU and EPHI. Click here to see more photos.
Dr. Desta Galcha, Chief Executive Director of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, emphasized the training's pivotal role in advancing expertise in malaria diagnostics. He underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in improving healthcare outcomes and reaffirmed AMU's commitment to strengthening partnerships for future health challenges.
Dr. Tamiru Shibiru, Principal Investigator of the research project, highlighted collaborative efforts with Australia's Menzies School of Health Research focusing on alternative malaria treatment, particularly Vivax. He noted that clinical trials and quality control evaluations have revealed a significant skill gap among experts in malaria diagnosis, prompting the need for targeted training sessions.
He also said that the training is a preparatory step for upcoming research initiatives along with Menzies School and starting in the next two months’ time. Its goal is to strengthen laboratory technicians' capacities in both routine healthcare and clinical trial settings, aiming to enhance malaria diagnosis quality, improve patient care, and foster scientific research and innovation in combating malaria effectively.
Michael M. Watene, a WHO Level I Malaria Microscopist from Human Quality Assessment Services, Nairobi, Kenya, praised the training's comprehensive approach to detection, species identification, and quantification in malaria microscopy. He commended the program for equipping participants with skills to diagnose both common and less common species such as Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale, thereby bolstering clinical trial research capabilities and healthcare service delivery.
Lidet Beyene, a participant and Medical Laboratory expert at Woze Health Center, spoke highly of the training's advanced techniques and emphasis on quality assurance in malaria microscopy. "This training will significantly enhance our ability to accurately diagnose and manage malaria cases," she noted.
Geremew Gashaw, Laboratory Department Coordinator at Arba Minch General Hospital, reflected on the training's impact on his professional growth, stating, "Acquiring new skills has filled significant gaps in my understanding of malaria microscopy enabling me to provide more accurate diagnosis and improve patient care."
The training concluded with the distribution of certificates of participation to acknowledge their successful completion of the program.
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