The World Health Organization has designated the Virology Laboratory of the National Institute of Health in Mozambique as the National Influenza Centre. This recognition reflects the lab’s commitment to quality and accuracy in monitoring respiratory viruses, having been a key player in influenza surveillance since 2013. The lab aims to continue enhancing its capabilities and support regional health networks.
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) honored the Virology Laboratory of the National Institute of Health (INS) in Mozambique by designating it as the National Influenza Centre (NIC). This recognition stems from the laboratory’s significant role in monitoring and diagnosing influenza and other respiratory viruses both nationally and globally.
The WHO’s certification followed a rigorous evaluation of the laboratory’s analytical processes, management techniques, and result dissemination protocols, conducted by international experts. Consequently, the data generated by this laboratory has been deemed reliable and of high quality for informed decision-making.
Nédio Mabunda, the director of the Public Health Laboratories Division, highlighted that this acknowledgment reflects the laboratory’s longstanding efforts in influenza surveillance since 2013. He noted that the laboratory currently holds accreditation for 25 specific tests, underscoring INS’s commitment to maintaining quality standards.
“This certification is a major milestone for Mozambique and for the Virology Laboratory, as it has achieved international recognition,” stated Mabunda, emphasizing the laboratory’s dedication to adhering to global protocols for data collection and testing practices.
The head of the Department of Virology, Jorfélia Chilaúle, expressed her contentment with the lab’s enhanced technical capacity and its formal contribution to the prevention and control of respiratory viruses. She outlined future plans to sustain this recognition along with the introduction of advanced technologies and offering technical support to various laboratories in the network.
Moreover, Almiro Tivane, coordinator of the Surveillance of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs), expressed satisfaction with the accomplishment, noting its importance in coordinating a streamlined system for ARI surveillance. This designation enables Mozambique to potentially serve as a regional reference in the domain of respiratory infection monitoring.
Since its initiation in 2013, the INS Virology Laboratory has been at the forefront of diagnosing influenza and related respiratory viruses through laboratory-based sentinel surveillance. This ongoing monitoring focuses on understanding epidemiological trends, seasonal patterns, and the circulation of different virus variants, including SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus.
The recognition of the INS Virology Laboratory by the WHO as Mozambique’s National Influenza Centre signifies a pivotal achievement in the country’s healthcare domain. The lab’s longstanding commitment to quality surveillance and diagnostics contributes significantly to global health efforts against respiratory viruses, positioning Mozambique as a regional leader in this field.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
