Road Map to a Successful PT/EQA Scheme- The HuQAS Experience Michael Kamiru.

HuQAS (Human Quality Assessment Services) is a not-for- profit Kenyan registered organization that has been offering Proficiency Testing (PT) Services to medical laboratories in the region for the last thirteen years.

To be an internationally recognized and accepted organization offering Proficiency testing Services to medical and related diagnostic laboratories.

To offer, professionally and with integrity, Proficiency Testing Services to clinical laboratories, with an aim of helping them produce accurate, reliable and comparable results at all time, while at the same time working towards improving and standardizing clinical laboratory testing to international standards. HuQAS endeavor to enhance knowledge on technical and scientific developments, to participating laboratories, staff and other stakeholders, through training and scientific conferences."

What necessitated? Acknowledged lack of confidence with laboratory results by most of the Physicians High cost of available international EQA schemes A desire by the persons behind HuQAS to play a positive role in enhancement of quality laboratory services in our medical laboratories

 To identify specific problems within participating laboratories that may relate to instruments, reagents or personnel and initiating remedial actions.  To build confidence in the quality status of the laboratories among doctors and patients.  To assess laboratories’ ability to perform tests competently as per their stated internal quality goals and the requirements of regulatory and/or accreditation bodies.

Historical Perspective 2000 –HuQAS launched its first PT program in clinical chemistry –25 active participants in –Basic Hematology program was introduced 2007 –HuQAS was registered as an independent NGO –The organization admitted as a full member of the DigitalPT International Collaboration

Historical Perspective 2008 –HuQAS welcomed aboard the first participant from outside our bounders- Uganda –130 different programs availed in the HuQAS menu –QMS Implemented 2009 –PT programs increased to 135 –HuQAS becomes the first PT provider in East Africa to be ISO accredited –Participation in HuQAS conference reached the 150 mark

Historical Perspective laboratories registered with HuQAS Participating labs from the public sector increase from 33% to 41% laboratories registered with HuQAS The first Laboratory from S. Sudan joins the Scheme HuQAS holds its annual conference in conjunction with AFCC 2012 HuQAS receives ISO accreditation 183 Laboratories registered with HuQAS The first laboratory from Tanzania enrolled with HuQAS 2013 HuQAS wins the best essay award on accreditation from KENAS 212 Laboratories Enrolled with HuQAS

Historical Perspective: Enrollment

Enrollment Comparison

Future prospects  Making available HuQAS EQA programs to all Public and Private laboratories in the entire East Africa region  Lobby for use of EQA reports in national policy making  Hold regular regional workshops for participating laboratories  Develop training programs for laboratory technicians and technologists  Lobby for inclusion of EQA/IQC programs in pre-service training

Road to our vision – Yr ST HuQAS workshop (2000). The beginnings were humble but the participants exuded determination

1st HuQAS workshop (2000). The beginnings were humble but the participants exuded determination Road to our vision – Yr. 2000

A group photograph of the participants to a HuQAS workshop (2001) in Mombasa, Kenya Road to our vision – Yr. 2001

Road to our vision – Yr Former KMA Chairman and current Director of Medical Service, Ministry of Health, Dr. Nyikal with HuQAS Chairman Mr. Wambura during the the 2002 HuQAS workshop at the Panafrique Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

Road to our vision – Yr A group photograph of the participants to 2003 HuQAS workshop in Mombasa, Kenya

Road to our vision – Yr Dr. Rajab, one of the 2004 HuQAS workshop facilitators, presenting a certificate to a participant at the Nairobi Safari Club, Lilian Towers, Nairobi

Road to our vision – Yr. 2005

Road to our vision – Yr The Nairobi Safari Club, Lilian Towers; keen participants during the 2006 HuQAS workshop.

Road to our vision – Yr. 2008

Road to our vision – Yr Mr Milgo of KENAS presents the accreditation certificate to Mr. Wambura, HuQAS chairman. Looking on is Industirilization PS Prof. Lonyangapuo.

17043:2010 accreditation

ISO 17043:2010

Best Essay Award-2013

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