U.S. Government Supports Capacity Building for Improved HIV Diagnosis and Treatment in Nigeria

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria through the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) recently facilitated two hands-on training workshops on HIV diagnosis and treatment monitoring for medical laboratory scientists in Nigeria. The two-week training drew participants from 14 military hospitals across the country.

The workshop took place at the 445NAF Hospital Laboratory, Ikeja, Lagos from October 24 – November 7, 2008.

According to Ms. Joanna Katzman of DOD, "This workshop is one of a series of training activities designed to strengthen the Ministry of Defence’s laboratory system. Through continued emphasis on good laboratory practices, technical expertise and quality control, we are developing a generation of well trained professionals who will one day be the trainers of tomorrow’s laboratories."

In her remarks to participants U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, the Honorable Robin Renée Sanders, noted that that the most critical component of capacity building is human development. This goes beyond transfer of technology and the provision of equipment, which the U.S. Government supports in Nigeria through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) among other programs. She encouraged participants to implement, share and pass down to others the knowledge and skills that they have acquired at the workshop, as, by this, they would have provided building blocks for their (participants) own future and country (Nigeria).

The 12th in the series of such training programs, the workshop exemplifies partnership between the U.S. Government and Government of Nigeria for HIV/AIDS mitigation.

USG Support for Military AIDS Mitigation Dates Back to 2005 in Nigeria

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has been involved in HIV mitigation with the Nigerian military since 2005. Nigeria is a big country with a large military force, and plays a major role in peace-keeping efforts around Africa. While a recent study estimated a lower HIV prevalence within the military than in the general population, efforts must continue to prevent new infections.

A hallmark of the DOD’s PEPFAR Program is the significant emphasis on training and capacity building. DOD helped to establish the 445NAF Hospital Laboratory as a Laboratory Training Centre for the Nigerian military. Military and civilian personnel are trained at the facility, and opportunities for training will extend to those from other GON entities.

Tagged Military HIV Program (MHP), the PEPFAR program with the military has received more than USD 37 million and aims at increasing the capacity of the Nigerian military to prevent, diagnose, care and treat HIV/AIDS within the greater military community in Nigeria.

Participants Praise Training

Participants agreed that the workshop, led by DOD Laboratory Manager Dr. Ezekiel Akintunde, greatly reinforced their knowledge and built their skills in critical areas of medical diagnosis such as specimen management, procedures and techniques, including machine calibration, maintenance and management, standardization of operating guidelines and procedures, and communication. The workshop was very educative and posed challenges - challenges relating to adopting best practices in quality control of blood samples and standardization of our operating procedures to achieve accurate test results for treatment management," said Wing Commander R.O. Sodeyi (rtd) of 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna. Mrs Ojasanmi of Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Ojo, Lagos explained that although she is a qualified chemical pathologist she has just learned some critical reasons for failure of diagnoses and the resultant failure of treatment in HIV+ patients.