'WHO Inter-Country Workshop on CD4 T-Cell Enumeration Technologies for the Central Americas' - 18-21 April 2005, held in Panama.
The selection of appropriate technologies for the enumeration of CD4 T-cell enumeration is a crucial component in effective clinical management of persons infected with HIV and also those receiving anti-retroviral therapy (ARV).
Ten countries from Central America met at the Instituto Commemorativo Gorgas de Estudios la Salud (Gorgas Institute) in Panama City, Panama for the 4-day workshop which was organised by the Department of Essential Health Technologies in collaboration with the Department of Technology and Health Services Delivery, WHO/AMRO office.
The workshop gave the participants the opportunity to share their expriences with the introduction of ARV monitoring into their laboratories. This was of particular use to the countries which are in the process of purchasing such technologies for the first time as more extensive HIV/AIDS treatment programmes are set-up in their countries. Key issues such as provision for quality assurance and methods of sample collection for transportation were actively discussed.