Success for African training initiative

A training initiative for lab personnel at the forefront of the fight against HIV/Aids and tuberculosis (TB) has been hailed as a success.

The US President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) and Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) worked together to boost the skills of lab workers and improve research conditions in sub-Saharan Africa.

A number of programmes have so far been funded in Uganda, South Africa and Mozambique, with others to follow as part of the $18 million, five-year initiative.

According to Krista Thompson, vice president and general manager of global health at BD, a lack of trained healthcare professionals is "one of the largest constraints" to dealing with disease in developing countries.

"BD and PEPFAR are helping to improve the fundamental capacity to deliver healthcare by training workers in sub-Saharan Africa," she explained.

"Proper training helps lead to proper diagnosis, which is essential for preventing the spread of HIV/Aids, TB and other diseases."

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