Neftaly: Strengthening the Inter-State Regional Network of National TB Reference Laboratories (NRLs) in the ECSA Region
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death and disease in the East, Central, and Southern Africa (ECSA) region, with a growing threat of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). Effective diagnosis and surveillance are essential to combat this epidemic — and that starts with strong, interconnected National TB Reference Laboratories (NRLs).
At Neftaly (South African Youth Project), we are working to strengthen the regional network of NRLs to improve TB management through enhanced collaboration, harmonization of standards, and shared innovation across borders.
Program Objective
To build a coordinated, resilient, and high-performing network of National TB Reference Laboratories across the ECSA region, enhancing diagnostic capacity, quality assurance, surveillance, and cross-border response for improved TB control and management.
Key Strategic Pillars
1. Regional Coordination and Collaboration
- Facilitate the establishment or strengthening of an inter-state platform for NRLs to share data, expertise, and best practices.
- Promote joint planning, benchmarking, and resource-sharing among countries in the region.
- Support the development of regional guidelines and protocols aligned with WHO standards.
2. Capacity Building and Technical Exchange
- Organize regional trainings, mentorship, and peer-to-peer learning for NRL staff in diagnostics, biosafety, and quality systems.
- Facilitate technical exchanges and south-south cooperation between high-performing and developing labs.
- Build capacity for emerging technologies, including rapid molecular testing, WGS (whole genome sequencing), and drug susceptibility testing (DST).
3. Quality Assurance and Standardization
- Harmonize and support the implementation of quality management systems (QMS) across all NRLs.
- Strengthen external quality assurance (EQA) mechanisms and inter-laboratory proficiency testing.
- Promote regional laboratory accreditation pathways (e.g. SADCAS, ISO 15189).
4. Data Sharing and Surveillance Integration
- Strengthen data systems for real-time case reporting, surveillance, and drug resistance monitoring.
- Enable secure cross-border information sharing to track TB transmission and respond to outbreaks.
- Link laboratory data to national TB programs and regional health information systems.
5. Advocacy and Policy Engagement
- Support engagement with ministries of health, regional economic communities (e.g., ECSA-HC, SADC), and donors to prioritize NRL investment.
- Advocate for regional TB diagnostic strategies that include funding for NRL development and sustainability.
- Promote the integration of NRLs into broader public health laboratory networks for shared infrastructure and policy coherence.
Expected Outcomes
- A stronger, more integrated regional network of NRLs capable of high-quality, standardized TB diagnostics.
- Reduced diagnostic delays and increased detection of MDR-TB and TB-HIV co-infections.
- Improved cross-border collaboration for outbreak preparedness, data sharing, and joint response.
- Greater regional ownership and sustainability of TB diagnostic systems.
Why This Matters
The TB epidemic does not respect borders. Strengthening NRLs as a regional network, rather than isolated national efforts, ensures a collective and coordinated response to TB — one that is resilient, efficient, and scalable.