Laboratory Leadership In The Current Context - The Case of Ugandan Mentorship

Background

Reliable laboratory leadership services are limited in many low and middle-income countries. This is attributed to lack of national laboratory system that would impede disease control and prevention efforts. Enrolling current and emerging leaders into the Global Laboratory Leadership mentorship program will expedite the creation and sustainability of national health laboratory system.
This is through building a strong collaboration of networks at every level of the health system in order to attain optimal human, animal and environmental health.

Methods

On 16th January, 2023, Ministry of health through the Uganda National Institute of Public Health started off with the implementation of Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program-Laboratory leadership program (UPHFP-LLP). The implementation strategy included mentorship sessions, in addition to didactic sessions, field activities, and community networking.

Results

The UPHFP-LLP assigned a mentor to each fellow for a period of 2 years. Induction sessions for mentors was conducted by the Uganda national Institute of public health and association of public health laboratories to enlighten the mentors on the program’s expectations, and terms of mentorship. Mentor and fellow meeting was designed to be held at least three times per quarter to review progress of fellows’ laboratory leadership career growth and program deliverables implementation.
Evaluation forms and minutes are compiled and shared with the program secretariat on a quarterly basis. Mentors also take part in didactic session which enables them to appreciate their respective mentees more.

Conclusions

The assignment of one mentor per fellow for a longer duration contributes positively in developing laboratory leaders career growth.