FAO Uganda supports the review of the current biorisk management training curriculum 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the National Health Laboratory Diagnostic Services, through the national coordination office for Biosafety and Biosecurity, has organized a review meeting for the current biorisk management training materials with the aim of meeting the requirements of international standards.

The two international standards by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2019/2020, ISO 35001-Biorisk management for laboratories and other related entities and ISO 15190 - Medical laboratories requirements for safety,  alongside the World Health Organisation (WHO) Biosafety Manual version 4, emphasize a risk-based approach to the management of biological risks/hazards within the facilities, necessitating the need to review the training curriculum to meet the requirements.

Therefore, the review meeting supported by FAO's Emergency Center for the control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), under the project “Supporting the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) to address zoonotic diseases and animal health in Africa”, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), takes place from 16 to 21 May 2022.

A total of 23 national experts were drawn from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security of Makere University (MUK-COVAB), National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLiRRI), National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF), Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI),  and the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) participate in the review of the current biorisk management training curriculum.

In the opening remarks, FAO ECTAD Country Team Leader, Dr. Willington Bessong Ojong represented by Ms. Susan Ndyanabo noted that it was critical to have a multi-sectoral representation of stakeholders from the human, animal, plant, ecosystem, and the military sectors to carry out an effective review of the biorisk management training curriculum.  In representation of National Health Laboratory Diagnostic Services, MrJoseph Nkodyo, expressed the importance of the new concept of biorisk management, which combines risk assessment, risk mitigation, and performance systems. He thanked FAO for supporting Biosfety and Biosecurity activities in the country including training aimed at enhancing safety.

Biorisk Risk Management training curriculum

In 2015, the National Health Laboratory and Diagnostics Services (NHLDS) developed the first Biorisk Management (BRM) training curriculum. The department continues to support the capacity building of the health workforce in Biorisk management. To bridge the gap in implementation and with the requirement that biosafety and biosecurity is everybody’s responsibility, in 2016 the department reviewed and developed an all-encompassing curriculum that targets technical, non-technical, and management teams of laboratory facilities. Subsequently, 3 training tracks were developed namely basic Track /Track 1 (for support), Technical Track/ Track 2 (for laboratory staff), and Management Track/ Track 3 (for top/mid-level managers).

In 2018 with FAO’s support, track 2 was reviewed to meet the One Health multisectoral requirements. However, following the release of two international standards by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2019/2020   (ISO 35001-Biorisk management for laboratories and other related entities and ISO 15190 - Medical laboratories requirements for safety) alongside the World Health Organisation (WHO) Biosafety Manual version 4, which emphasizes a risk-based approach to the management of biological risks/hazards within the facilities, there came a  need to review the training curriculum to meet the requirements of the new standards.

Improving biorisk management requires attention to and understanding the causes of nonconformities and incidents. Systematic identification and correction of system deficiencies lead to improved performance and control of biorisks. The updated biorisk management will target professionals in veterinary laboratories and other sectors that make up One health. The review will help update the curriculum and provide the target audience of the training with the opportunity to use a robust methodology to identify and control biosafety and biosecurity risks.

Contact:

Agatha Ayebazibwe

Communications Officer

FAO Uganda

Email: [email protected]

Yanira Santana

Emergency Reporting and Outreach Specialist

Bureau FAO ECTAD Africa

Email: [email protected]