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GLOBAL HEALTH
APHL Makes an Impact at ASLM 2023
By Britnae Purdy , associate specialist , Global Health ; and Lucy Maryogo-Robinson , director , Global Health
APHL country directors with APHL CEO Scott Becker , Global Health Director Lucy Maryogo-Robinson , and Global Health Deputy Director Sherrie Staley .
The African Society for Laboratory Medicine ( ASLM ) 2023 conference was held in Cape Town , South Africa from December 12 – 15 . Leaders and researchers in laboratory practice from around the world gathered to address this year ’ s theme , “ Shaping Laboratory Systems and Diagnostics Services for the 21st Century : Embracing the Change .” APHL was well-represented at the conference , with staff members moderating plenaries , presenting posters and delivering oral presentations . APHL staff also facilitated two pre-conference workshops on data modernization and the Global Laboratory Leadership Programme ( GLLP ).
As the conference ’ s keynote speaker , John Nkengasong , PhD , MSc , ambassador-atlarge , US Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy , emphasized the importance of laboratory science in mitigating and managing outbreaks of
the 21st century . Nkengasong spoke of more frequently occurring outbreaks , noting with irony that the last time he spoke to this group at ASLM 2018 , he was marking the 100th anniversary of the 1918 flu pandemic . He also addressed the importance of genomics and precision medicine for the future , while also highlighting challenges related to antimicrobial resistance and artificial intelligence .
“ The conference provided an important opportunity for APHL to showcase key initiatives that we are supporting as well as for us to learn about the work our colleagues are implementing around the continent ,” said Lucy Maryogo-Robinson , who also serves as an ASLM board member . “ I am proud of how ASLM is contributing to strengthening laboratory systems across Africa .” g
The production of this article was supported by Cooperative Agreement # NU2HGH000080 , funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of , nor an endorsement by , CDC , HHS or the US Government .
NEW PUBLICATION
Assessing Polysubstance Overdoses : An Expanded Biosurveillance Strategy for Public Health Practice
In response to the evolving nature of the overdose epidemic , this publication expands into polysubstance use , beyond opioid overdoses . This comprehensive guide covers collaboration and outreach , analytical considerations , and data management , dissemination , and interpretation for polysubstance biosurveillance programs .
Assessing Polysubstance Overdoses : An Expanded Biosurveillance Strategy for Public Health Practice is a successor to the Model Opioids Biosurveillance Strategy .
Visit www . aphl . org / publications to access this guide and other related resources !
20 LAB MATTERS Spring 2024
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