nATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH LABOLATORY
The Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) is a cluster of laboratory sections that has a function to develop an effective, fit-for-purpose public health laboratory system. It is a specialized laboratory system that offers advanced essential public health laboratory leadership through science and services. It has a vision to be a centre of excellence in public health that contributes towards the high quality and productive life of all people in Malawi. Its mission is to provide strategic leadership and coordination through multi–disciplinary and multi-sectoral responses to public health emergencies and threats, disease detection and control, and generate information that informs policy and practice to achieve public health security.
Also oversees development of preparedness and response plans including contingency plans for the country’s high-risk hazards.
Mission
To provide strategic leadership and coordination through multi–disciplinary and multi-sectoral responses to public health emergencies and threats, disease detection and control, and generate information that informs policy and practice to achieve public health security.
Vision
To be a centre of excellence in public health that contributes towards the high quality and productive life of all people in Malawi.
PHL – Main Goal
The PHRL’s main goal is to develop a robust and sustainable public health reference laboratory capacity to address national public health concerns through the performance of specific activities that ensure one health laboratory testing functions are successfully implemented.
In fulfilling its referral services, the laboratory comprises the following sections: HIV/, Tuberculosis (TB), Parasitology, Microbiology, Biochemistry Nutrition Influenza Haematology, and Genomic Sequencing.
In line with the mandate of promoting scientific / technological solutions and capacity building, PHRL has a quality assurance section responsible for the implementation of a Quality Management System, Coordination of Proficiency Testing Schemes and championing accreditation services, across the entire laboratory network.
PHRL strengthens the performance of the national public health laboratory network by mapping all laboratories in Malawi (including laboratories from human and animal health), aligning them with one health requirement. PHRL also aims to establish an efficient integrated sample transportation system by strengthening biosecurity, biosafety and bio-risk management systems.
TEAM
Mr. Joseph Bitilinyu Bango
Head of Department.
HEADS OF SUB-UNITS