IGAD to assess animal health labs in Kenya and eight African countries

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is planning baseline assessments of selected animal health laboratories in Kenya and eight other African countries to identify gaps and guide improvements in disease detection and diagnosis.

The assessments will inform individual laboratory improvement plans, mentorship and further capacity building under a regional initiative aimed at strengthening laboratory quality management and preparedness for animal disease outbreaks.

The countries listed for the next phase are Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe, Malawi, Ethiopia and Burundi.

Dr Mohamed Elduma, head of health units at the IGAD Secretariat, said the assessments would help identify the needs of individual laboratories and guide targeted support.

“We have the baseline assessment. We can now have individual plans for those laboratories that have been assessed. We will continue to build the capacity of the experts,” he said.

Elduma added that mentorship would be part of the next phase, with experts expected to provide continued support to selected laboratories.

The planned assessments follow a five-day training-of-trainers workshop on the QualiPATH framework held in Machakos, Kenya, from October 19 to 23, 2026. The workshop brought together laboratory experts to strengthen their capacity to assess laboratory performance, identify weaknesses and support facilities in improving testing standards.

The training combined technical sessions with practical exercises at the National Veterinary Reference Laboratory in Kabete.

Kenya’s Deputy Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Omuna Ndangi, said the training would strengthen the country’s capacity to audit its animal health laboratories as they work towards accreditation.

“Now that we have certified auditors, that means we can internally audit our animal health laboratories towards accreditation,” she said.

The QualiPATH framework provides a structured approach to improving laboratory quality management and preparing facilities to meet international standards.

The initiative is being implemented under IGAD’s Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Programme for Eastern and Southern Africa, using the One Health approach, which recognises the links between human, animal and environmental health.

Animal health laboratories play a critical role in detecting diseases, confirming diagnoses and supporting timely responses to outbreaks. Improved laboratory quality systems are expected to strengthen regional surveillance, protect livestock and support safe trade in animal products.