What can the data be used for?
LabMaP data can be used for a variety of planning and general question purposes. Below are a few examples:
- Obtain an quick overview of gaps between standards for laboratory service delivery and a current situation.
- Inform the development of diagnostic services with optimal geographic and population coverage and maximize the impact of clinical and public health outcomes.
- Inform the optimisation of regional laboratory networks and systems, e.g., a cross-border sample referral system as part of disease surveillance and preparedness for outbreak response.
What data are collected?
LabMaP collects a range of data related to laboratory systems and services. Major categories include, but are not limited to:
- Laboratory profile information (level of service delivery, human or animal health, etc.)
- GPS coordinates
- Testing capacity across essential diseases
- Staffing
- Infrastructure, equipment and supply chain
- Quality Management System
- Connectivity
- Linkages to surveillance of testing networks
- Biosafety and Biosecurity
Collection occurs through an electronic interface allowing the data to be uploaded to a central database for curation, subsequent sharing and analysis. Data collection can be done offline or on any Android device. Data collection usually commences with data from high-level laboratories, with support from ASLM. In the second phase, data collection is progressively expanded to lower-level laboratories through country-owned, locally organized procedures.
Who has access to the data?
Access to the data is formalized through a data-sharing agreement between countries and ASLM. Complete datasets can be accessed by ASLM and Africa CDC. Each country has full access to its own dataset with the possibility of linkage to their own health data management system, such as the District Health Information System, version 2 (DHIS-2). Stakeholders and health organisations may access data upon request. All requests should be made to ASLM where they are subject to review and approval from all respective countries. Only general, non-sensitive data are shared, after Ministry of Health approval, through public ASLM portals.