Supported by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) through its the Advancing Research Capacity in West Africa (ARC-WA) project, the External Competence Assessment in Malaria Microscopy (ECAMM) course aims to establish a network of national and regional experts to enhance the implementation of high-quality malaria diagnostic services across Africa. It includes refresher sessions and practical exercises to ensure participants meet international standards for malaria diagnosis. This course aligns with the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030, adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2015, which seeks to achieve a malaria-free world by 2030. A key component of this strategy is the need to ensure accurate malaria diagnosis at all levels of healthcare.  

Laboratory scientists from Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, UNC Phebe, Liberia, and staff of MRCG at LSHTM participated in the assessment. 

Malaria is one of the most common diseases in the world, especially in Africa. According to the latest World Malaria Report, about 95% out of the 597,000 malaria deaths recorded worldwide in 2023 occurred in the region. To tackle the disease and advance towards its elimination, quality-assured microscopy remains a standard for clinical detection of parasites for improved health outcomes. 

Mr. David Isaboke, a facilitator from Amref Health Africa, highlighted that the course is a World Health Organisation (WHO) supported programme designed to assist National Malaria Control and Elimination Programmes to establish a core group of expert malaria microscopists at the national level. “The trained experts play a key role in delivering malaria diagnostic refresher trainings and supporting other malaria quality assurance initiatives to improve diagnostic accuracy and effective surveillance programmes,” he added. 

This course represents a critical step toward empowering laboratory professionals across West Africa with the tools and knowledge needed to ensure accurate malaria diagnosis. Through continued collaboration and investment in diagnostics capacity building, the region is making strong strides toward achieving a malaria-free future. 

According to Yai Louise Ndure-Bensouda, Head of Quality and Risk Management at MRCG at LSHTM, the course is a strategic investment in promoting diagnostic excellence across West Africa. She said that through the ARC-WA project, the laboratory and quality workstream is strengthening capacities at various sites, ahead of the upcoming C111 clinical trial evaluating a Lassa Fever Virus vaccine developed by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI).  

“Although the trial primarily focuses on Lassa Fever Virus, malaria is identified as a common comorbidity. Our aim is to impart theoretical knowledge and to ensure that laboratory scientists from the participating institutions demonstrate practical competence in malaria diagnostics. This course provided us an opportunity to equip them with both technical skills along with a solid understanding of the required quality assurance procedures,” she added.  

Mr. Johnson Etafo, a Medical Laboratory Scientist at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, highlighted the significance of the course and its potential impact on his institution’s laboratory services. “This course has enhanced my expertise in delivering high-quality malaria microscopy results, particularly for the CEPI ENABLE 1.5 study and the upcoming C111 clinical trial. Upon returning to my facility, I plan to organise refresher sessions and targeted training on malaria microscopy including species identification and parasite quantification for clinical trial scientists involved in both studies,” he stated. 

Participants were evaluated and graded according to the WHO’s approved competence scale, with those who passed the assessment at the end of the course certified as malaria microscopists. The newly certified malaria microscopists are expected to use a standardised, WHO-approved approach for species identification, parasite detection, and parasite counting. This certification positions them to serves as trainers within their institutions, amplifying the impact of the program and fostering long-term capacity building across the region.