From the 23rd to 27th of January 2022, two staff of the Equipment Maintenance and Calibration (EMC) Unit of Global Health Systems Solutions (GHSS), Tsajeu Jiofack Martial and Atabongngou Fualefac, were engaged in a biosafety certification training in Johannesburg, South Africa. GHSS sponsored these staff in alignment with its policy of promoting employees’ professional development, capacity building and personal growth.
Air Techniques International (ATI) and Air and Lab Products Africa(ALPA) organized the 5-day trainingfor laboratory staff/personnel, biomedical technicians and supervisors, safety coordinators, principal investigators, administrators and others across Africa. It aims to ensure that personnel involved in using and maintaining the Biosafety Safety Cabinet have adequate knowledge about safe operating procedures and significant maintenance activities.
Key training modules included High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter (HEPA) Filter Testing to ISO14644, Airflow Measurement and Testing, Cleanroom Classification, and Safety Cabinet Testing.
The EMC staff stated that the training came at an opportune moment. Martial and Fualefac noted that “The training has equipped us to be able to appropriately assess any defect(s) or problem(s) that may occur during cabinet use, which will help to minimize risk to personnel and prevent potential contamination of work being conducted around the cabinet.”
They attested to gaining new knowledge in “identifying and assessing biological hazards, establishing proper containment procedures, developing programmes for handling hazardous materials, understanding emergency preparedness procedures, and conducting laboratory inspections.” Both GHSS staff appreciated the organization’s investment in their career growth and professional development. They promised to immediately start putting the skills and knowledge gained to use and contribute to advancing GHSS’ mission: to develop innovative approaches to strengthen health systems necessary to deliver quality health care and disease surveillance in resource-poor countries.
