global health
APHL’s Global Health Team: Working Together to
Build Stronger, More Resilient Lab Systems
by Lucy Maryogo-Robinson, director, Global Health
APHL has worked in the global health
arena for over 20 years. Its Global Health
Program now encompasses activities in 21
countries under the President’s Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the
Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA).
And while the association’s footprint has
expanded to include seven international
offices with over 35 full-time field
representatives, its strategy for laboratory
improvement remains constant: we focus
on strengthening the laboratory system.
To promote a “One APHL” approach across
all international offices during this period
of growth, APHL convened a meeting in
Johannesburg, South Africa, in December
to bring together headquarters staff
and field representatives for a week of
training, strategic planning, networking
and continuous process improvement.
Participants in the 2017 APHL International Team Meeting pose for a group photo.
At the meeting, the third of its kind,
participants discussed strategies for
implementing HIV viral load testing
under PEPFAR and strengthening
diagnostic capabilities to support GHSA’s
Prevent, Detect and Respond priorities.
They also reviewed administrative and
operational processes and participated
in a fraud prevention training delivered
by a South African consulting firm.
As 2018 begins, the future of APHL’s Global
Health Program remains bright with
vital public health work underway, and a
talented, dedicated team of staff and field
representatives supporting its efforts. n
Operations and Program Support workgroup discusses the
efficiency of APHL processes.
DIGITAL EXTRA:
Listen to Scott Becker’s interview with
the APHL International team on the
Lab Culture Podcast.
APHL field staff members share ideas at the International
Team Meeting. (from l to r:) Rufus Nyaga (Kenya), Fatima Khan
(Zimbabwe), Clement Phiri (Zambia).
20
LAB MATTERS Winter 2018
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