Plateau State commenced a 3days regional training programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of laboratory scientists to deliver accurate malaria diagnosis across selected states in Nigeria.
The training was organized by REACH Malaria Project in collaboration with National Malaria Elimination Program and Plateau State Ministry of Health through the State Malaria Elimination Program (SMEP) hosted at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital laboratory which was recently built and equipped by Governor Caleb Mutfwang under “the time is now administration”
Participants drawn from Plateau, Benue and Kebbi States are taking part in the training, which is designed to enhance laboratory scientists’ skills in microscopic malaria diagnosis under the mantra “Supporting a Culture of Quality.”
Speaking on behalf of the Plateau State Commissioner for Health, the Chief Medical Director of Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Prof Christopher Yilgwan, said the training targets selected laboratory scientists who already possess basic diagnostic skills and are expected to serve as supervisors and mentors for other health workers in their respective facilities.
According to him, the programme involves participants from multiple states and focuses on improving the accuracy and reliability of microscopic malaria diagnosis in healthcare facilities.
Yilgwan noted that the selection of Plateau State as host was influenced by the high standard of the PLASVERIC Public Health Teaching Laboratory, describing it as a top-notch facility capable of serving as a reference centre for malaria diagnostics.
He also commended Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for upgrading the laboratory to international standards, a development he said has attracted partnerships and training opportunities to the state.
The Program Manager, Plateau State Malaria Elimination Program, Nurse Ndak Kizito Zuhumnan, said the training reflects the foresight of the Plateau State government in prioritising improvements in the health sector and creating an enabling environment for partners to support healthcare delivery.
He explained that the training is specifically designed to enhance the competence of laboratory scientists in the use of microscopy for malaria diagnosis, noting that accurate diagnosis remains critical to effective treatment and malaria control efforts.
Zuhumnan added that participants drawn from tertiary hospitals, private facilities and primary healthcare centres will return to their various institutions after the training to support peer learning, provide mentorship and strengthen quality assurance processes in malaria diagnosis.
According to him, the ripple effect of the training will extend beyond the participating institutions as trained scientists will also support community-level malaria services through supervision and quality checks to ensure that diagnostic results used for treatment are accurate and reliable.
He further noted that the presence of participants from other states for the training demonstrates the growing recognition of Plateau’s improved laboratory infrastructure, stressing that the upgrades carried out at the facility have positioned the state as a reference point for diagnostic training and public health collaboration.
Senior Diagnostic Specialist with the REACH PATH Project, Ojo Abiodun, said the training is part of efforts to strengthen malaria diagnostic services across supported states through capacity building for medical laboratory scientists.
He said the REACH project, funded by the United States Department of State, supports Nigeria’s efforts to improve malaria diagnosis and treatment outcomes by ensuring that test results used for treatment decisions are accurate and reliable.
Abiodun added that the training is facilitated by World Health Organization-certified Level 1 expert microscopists, who are equipping participants with advanced skills in malaria microscopy.
According to him, participants selected for the training had previously completed basic malaria microscopy training recommended by national and global health authorities and were chosen to further strengthen their supervisory capacity.
Welcoming the experts Dr Alice Pam-Tok the Plateau State Coordinator REACH project said the training, improved quality assurance in malaria diagnosis is critical to ensuring effective treatment and reducing malaria-related illness and deaths in affected communities.
