Collaboration between Cambodia and Lao PDR to deliver TOT on calibration and maintenance

We are acutely aware of the importance of reliability when it comes to medical laboratory testing. Different analytical testing laboratories often produce different test results for a given sample due to a variation in staff competency, equipment, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while performing the tests. These variations are often due to the use of uncalibrated and unmaintained instruments.

As in Cambodia the preventive maintenance and calibration skills were limited in Lao PDR and the lab technicians requested to be trained on these subjects. It was decided to organize the training at the Institut Pasteur in Cambodia (IPC). The Institute runs a metrology unit accredited ISO/IEC 17025 for medical laboratories. Additionally the modules have already been prepared for similar training in Cambodia for the SEALAB program.

The limited human resources in Lao PDR medical laboratories means that it is difficult to identify the level of English or French of maintenance technicians to effectively be trained at IPC. The technical training is challenging if it needs to be translated. Due to this it was decided to involve Mr. Yves Sonvilay, the lab professional at the Mérieux Foundation in Lao PDR, who speaks Lao-French and is fluent in English, will be trained in Cambodia to become a trainer for lab technicians in the five SEALAB labs on preventive maintenance and calibration.

The 3-day training organized from July 20-22, 2022 by Mr. Hok Kean, Head of the Maintenance Unit and Mr. Lay Larama, Deputy Head and responsible of the calibration unit. The main topics covered were:

• Maintenance of microscopes
• Maintenance of centrifuges
• Maintenance of autoclaves
• Calibration of pipettes

Training for lab technicians will be given on site by Mr. Yves Sonvilay accompanied by one technician from the Department of Standardization and Metrology (DOSM) of Lao DPR. The expected results are to establish technical competency in each lab to enhance the reliability of test results generated by the laboratories and to reduce operational expenditures.