CIDRZ Lab highlights Zambia’s diagnostic capacity

The Ministry of Health says Zambia has made significant progress in disease control, including achieving epidemic control of HIV, improving tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics and mounting a strong response to COVID-19. Ministry of Health Assistant Director for Pathology and Laboratory…

The Ministry of Health says Zambia has made significant progress in disease control, including achieving epidemic control of HIV, improving tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics and mounting a strong response to COVID-19.

Ministry of Health Assistant Director for Pathology and Laboratory Services Mweemba Muvwimi attributed the progress to the country’s strong laboratory systems.

Speaking during the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) Laboratory Open Day in Lusaka, Dr Muvwimi commended CIDRZ for contributing to the national laboratory system and demonstrating that Zambian-led laboratories can meet global standards.

Dr Muvwimi said the Ministry of Health would like to see similar initiatives replicated in other health facilities.

Dr Muvwimi added that CIDRZ’s services align with the National Health Laboratory Strategic Plan and contribute to strengthening the country’s capacity to detect and respond to future health threats.

He said CIDRZ’s contribution goes beyond sample testing to include training laboratory staff, quality assurance, strengthening the sample referral system and supporting sample transportation.

“CIDRZ does not only do testing of samples; you train our staff in various district laboratories and give us support in terms of quality assurance, strengthening sample referral systems and transportation,” Dr Muvwimi said.

He reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to working with partners to ensure that all Zambians have access to essential diagnostic services regardless of their geographical location.

Meanwhile, CIDRZ Chief Executive Officer Otto Chabikuli said the organisation wants to help reduce Zambia’s dependence on countries outside Africa for specialised testing and scientific capabilities.

Dr Chabikuli said CIDRZ is focused on developing locally relevant scientific capacity by supporting hospitals with research and diagnostic capabilities, working with universities and researchers and developing local scientific talent.

He said the laboratory open day provides a platform for discussions on how partnerships and research can contribute to achieving healthcare sovereignty in Zambia and across Africa.

“Today, much of the advanced research infrastructure, specialised testing and scientific capabilities that African countries depend on is concentrated outside the continent, particularly in the Global North,” he said.

Meanwhile, CIDRZ Chief Scientific Officer Monde Muyoyeta said Zambia’s scientific capacity continues to grow, citing the political will to establish local drug manufacturing.

Dr Muyoyeta said the government’s focus on local drug manufacturing creates an opportunity for Zambia to develop the capacity to manufacture critical medicines and vaccines.

She said CIDRZ is contributing to this goal through its research activities and efforts to build scientific capacity.

“We do now have quite good capacity to analyse immunology and basic science, and that is what leads to development of vaccines. We are also beginning to do some complex HIV immunology studies,” she said.