NATIONAL-QUALITY-ASSURANCE-PROGRAM FOR RURAL AND PROVINCIAL LABORATORY SERVICES IN PAPUA-NEW-GUINEA

The expansion of laboratory services in Papua New Guinea in recent tim es, particularly at the rural health centre level, in support of publi c health laboratory activities has stressed the need to monitor the te chnical performance of laboratory workers. With this in mind, a Nation al Quality Assurance Programme (NQAP) was devised following a successf ul trial in the Momase Region in 1990. The NQAP has expanded rapidly a nd met with good response and high levels of achievement by participat ing laboratories nation-wide. Future plans are to develop a National Q uality Assurance Committee and work towards an accreditation scheme in Papua New Guinea.