Advanced training for laboratories

Over three days in late March, WHO, in collaboration with the National Institute of Health Research and Development (NIHRD) provided advanced training for 18 senior laboratory staff from nine subnational laboratories from across Indonesia.

The laboratories were identified as designated COVID-19 testing facilities through the Indonesian Ministry of Decree on 16 March 2020, and have since been responsible for conducting tests on suspected cases of the disease.

This advanced training focused on real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) testing for COVID-19 and assisted to identify and troubleshoot any potential testing complications the laboratories may face during this challenging time of increasing burden.

The training was facilitated digitally via webinar by Dr Patrick Reading from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory in Australia and Francis Yesurajan Inbanathan, a Technical Officer Laboratory from WHO South-East Asia Regional Office.

From 26 to 28 March, the laboratories participated in hands-on exercises that covered all aspects of testing following WHO protocols: from test preparation to sample extraction to reading and interpreting the results. Topics on biosafety, biosecurity and how to effectively develop a biorepository (including laboratory networks and recording and reporting the results) for COVID-19 specimens were also explored.

Caption: The advanced training involved 18 laboratory specialists partaking in hands-on exercises to develop their skills in rRT-PCR testing.
Photo credit: Nurhayati/WHO Indonesia

During the sessions, the NIHRD provided the participants with the relevant primer and probe so that upon returning to their own facilities, the staff have the necessary equipment to immediately begin implementing the new form of testing on patients at their laboratories.

During the training, WHO conducted an assessment to appraise the capacity of staff and laboratories for COVID-19 testing. This assessment was a valuable opportunity for the laboratories to identify and troubleshoot any potential problems they may face when conducting PCR testing. Overall, the participants and laboratories were found to have a high capacity to carry out the necessary tests.

The advanced training also doubled as a ‘Train the Trainer’ event and it is anticipated that with their newly advanced skills and knowledge, the 18 participants will be able to conduct further training for other laboratories regionally, under the facilitation of NIHRD.

For the provinces who were unable to attend, NIHRD and WHO shared the testing protocol and same standard operating procedures covered through the training to ensure laboratories are conducting COVID-19 testing to an equal standard across the country. It is hoped some of these laboratories will be able to participate in the planned coming training.

Caption: A training participant utilises the laboratory equipment during a practical exercise.
Photo credit: Dwi/Jakarta PHL