Detection of tuberculosis (TB)-causing organisms will become faster, thanks to Dignitas International who have trained 15 technicians in advanced laboratory skills.
The technicians, who include laboratory microscopists, lab assistants, health surveillance assistants (HSAs) and hospital attendants, were drawn from both government and Christian Health Association (Cham) health facilities from districts in the Southern and Eastern regions.
Speaking in an interview, TB microscopy expert and laboratory supervisor Kingston Balala, who facilitated the training, hailed the development, noting that the TB programme in the country has been using old microscopes and technology for detecting organisms.
“The iLED microscopes are very good because we need less time to examine the samples and they are more sensitive than the conventional microscopes. The work that takes an hour on an ordinary microscope can be reduced to only 30 minutes when using the iLED,” he explained.
He said the modern microscopes can also be used in remote areas that are out of electricity grids or experience frequent power blackouts as they are fitted with LED light sources that consume little energy.
Speaking on Friday during the closing ceremony of the training in Liwonde, Machinga, Dignitas medical programme manager, Dr.Teferi Beyene, said the training will improve delivery of TB services in the country.
“TB is a major public health problem in Malawi and diagnosing it quickly is very important for health-care workers. Dignitas has been working towards improving strategies on diagnostics and to build the capacity of our laboratory technicians,” said Beyene.
Dignitas International is a research and medical organisation working mainly in the field of HIV and Aids by delivering medical solutions as well as conducting high-impact medical research in six districts of Mangochi, Machinga, Balaka, Zomba, Phalombe and Mulanje.
