State of Biosafety and Biosecurity of SARS CoV-2 testing Laboratories in Uganda.
- Atek Karigita, Department of Biosafety Biosecurity and Disease Surveillance, Uganda National Health Laboratories Services, Ministry of Health
- Joseph Nkodyo, Department of Biosafety Biosecurity and Disease Surveillance, Uganda National Health Laboratories Services, Ministry of Health
- Sandra Matanyi, Department of Quality Assurance, A Global Healthcare Public Foundation
- Susan Nabadda, Department of Strategic Planning, Uganda National Health Laboratory Services Department, Ministry of Health
- Benson Musinguzi, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Muni University, Arua, Uganda
Presented at 21st Annual HuQAS Scientific Conference
Introduction:
The WHO describes the laboratory biosafety as technologies, containment principles, and practices that are applied to stop unintentional exposure to toxins and pathogens or their accidental release while laboratory biosecurity is described as the institutional and personal security procedures planned to inhibit the loss, misuse, diversion, theft, and intentional release of toxins and pathogens. COVID19 testing laboratories are critical facilities for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. However, COVID-19 testing laboratories can at times endanger individual, institutional, public health and security when manipulations result into intentional or unintentional exposures to SARS-Cov-2. The Uganda ministry of health (MOH) had to train and mentor laboratory personnel to strengthen Biosafety and Biosecurity in its SARS CoV-2 testing Laboratories.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to collect data in order to assess and evaluate the measures being taken for biosafety and biosecurity in SARS CoV-2 testing Laboratories in Uganda. Methods: MOH trained and certified National BRM auditors who audited 11 COVID19 Testing Laboratories using the approved National BRM Audit checklist.
Results:
Out of 11 laboratories audited, 90.8%(n=10) had low and very low-risk levels while 9.2% (n=1) had moderate risk level.
Conclusion: COVID-19 testing Laboratories in Uganda are compliant to BRM practices. Key to the successful implementation of BRM practices is Management commitment, technical expertise and functional safety committees.