In any institution or organisation, managers have a critical and important role to play to create an efficient environment, leadership and direction. In health care institutions, the provision of a safe, efficient, quality and uninterrupted service delivery is important to provide a quality health care service and research to achieve goals and objectives. Support for professional advancement and personal growth of staff is key in this.

To that end, an inaugural Foundation of Laboratory Management and Leadership training workshop was recently held by the laboratory platform here at the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRCG at LSHTM), in order to build leadership and management skills amongst our laboratory professionals in the healthcare and public health sectors.

The five-day workshop was held from 9 to 13 January 2023. It brought together 27 participants from across diverse career stages including laboratory managers, laboratory supervisors and research projects laboratory managers. The course was designed to enhance the skills of current laboratory managers but also recognise and develop the potential of individuals to be able to take up laboratory managerial roles when the need arises; this is especially critical in continuing to promote and develop local capacity as the MRCG at LSHTM continues to grow as a centre of research excellence in public health in West Africa. 

Dr. Ousman Secka, Head of Laboratory Management noted, “It is anticipated that the strategy will provide this group of staff the appropriate skills and competencies to promote departmental growth, and also make them competitive within and outside The Gambia."