The Shinda Malaria project which is being implemented by Ifakara Health Institute hosted a microscopy recertification training exercise in Dar for Therapeutic Efficacy Study (TES) laboratory technicians. 

The training was launched on December 19, 2020, and will last five days. It will involve lab technicians from partner institutions which include Ifakara, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS), National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), and Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo) as well as TES study sites.

The training aims to assess and train lab technicians in preparation for malaria parasite smears and to evaluate the competencies of laboratory technicians in detecting, speciation and quantification of malaria parasites.

Dr. Dunstan Bishanga, Chief of Party for the Shinda Malaria project officiated the training which will be taking place at the NIMR laboratories involving 10 lab technicians. 

In his opening remarks, Dr. Bishanga reminded beneficiaries of the training about their roles and responsibilities urging them “to make sure that the TES program in Tanzania speaks nothing but the truth.”

The training is being conducted per the criteria set by the World Health Organization (WHO) proficiency testing. Therefore, 10 Giemsa-stained malaria slide panels (8 positive low/high-density pf/PV/Mixed and 2 negative slides) will be administered to each study participant for performance assessment on malaria parasite detection, species identification and parasite quantification using light microscopy.

About Shinda Malaria

Shinda Malaria is a five-year project made possible by the support of the American people through the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The program aims to support the Government of Tanzania in reducing the malaria burden and in moving toward malaria elimination.

The project addresses the urgent healthcare needs of malaria at-risk populations, especially vulnerable pregnant women and children under five, and supports Tanzania partners to grow and execute malaria programs sustainably and successfully.

Shinda Malaria primarily works to support both facility- and community-based malaria activities in all five councils of Katavi region, as well as making contributions to the national malaria priorities through the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP).

Read more about Shinda Malaria project: https://ihi.or.tz/our-projects/project/74/details/