The IHR Strengthening Project Ethiopia Laboratory Team in collaboration with Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) delivered sample management and molecular diagnosis of Monkeypox training from 22-26 August 2022.

As part of the emergency preparedness for Monkeypox laboratory detection capacity, the IHR laboratory team and EPHI provided Monkeypox sample collection and transportation training to 32 laboratory professionals from regional laboratories across Ethiopia. The sample collection training included sample types, collection procedures, how to pack and transport the sample and safety precautions during sample collection and transportation processes.

Figure 1. Sample collection and transportation training participants, August 22-23, 2022.

Monkeypox molecular detection (Rt-PCR) training was also provided to 6 laboratory personnel from 4 regional laboratories for 3 days from August 24-25, 2022. This training covered both theoretical and practical sessions. It included how to use pipettes, how to process and extract samples, reagent preparation and result interpretation, all whilst complying with biosafety.

Both trainings were well received by the participants, and training will continue to be rolled out for other regional laboratories.

Figure 2. RT-PCR practical demonstration

By Hiwot Hailu