Central Public Health Reference Laboratory (CPHRL) of Sierra Leone has been provisionally accredited to undertake measles and Yellow Fever (YF) laboratory diagnoses in the country by World Health Organization. The experts from WHO Headquarters and Inter-country Support Team of West Africa awarded the provisional accreditation following intensive bench training on laboratory diagnosis techniques and thorough assessment of the suitability of the laboratory set up.
The visiting experts conducted five days refresher training for CPHRL personnel as part of WHO support in strengthening laboratory capacity in the country. The training is aimed at improv-ing quality and standard of laboratory practices in the country which will lead to an eventual full accreditation of the laboratory and join the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory network.
Since the implementation of YF/measles case based surveillance in Sierra Leone, specimens collected from suspected YF and measles cases are sent to Cote d’Ivoire laboratory for testing. With the provisional accreditation of the CPHRL, Sierra Leone’s samples will now be tested locally and selected specimen will be sent to Cote d’Ivoire for quality control.

Plans are also underway to install a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine for influenza testing procured by WHO to further equip the laboratory. When fully accredited the CPHRL is expected to become a venue for research and training in the future. About three years ago the laboratory was only equipped to conduct TB and HIV/AIDS tests. However with the support of CDC, WHO, UNICEF and other partners the Reference Laboratory is now well equipped to conduct diagnosis of additional diseases.

 01 Laboratory Practice - Yellow Fever IgM Assay 02 Laboratory Data Management Training Session 03 CPHRL Personnel Preforming Hands On Practice 04 CPHRL Laka
For More Information contact:

World Health Organization,
21 A and B Riverside Drive, off King Harman Road, Freetown
Phone: 232-22-233565, +232-76-777878;
e-mail: whosl [at] sl.afro.who.int (whosl[at]sl[dot]afro[dot]who[dot]int)