Laboratory technicians from Africa were introduced to the use and operation of new diagnostic equipment at a recent training in Douala. During a scientific symposium on October 23, 2015, experts from Sysmex/Partec, Europe, explained the advantages of the new malaria and HIV/AIDS diagnostic equipment.

“With advanced technology, results are reliable and trustworthy. The equipment is cost-effective and robust in that it can be used where power supply is not stable. Moreover, the company provides after-sales support through training.” Participants came from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon, and Germany.

“Africa is becoming our centre of focus and we are bringing in high-tech equipment,” explained Jorsten Reinecke of Sysmex Germany. He said the equipment and accessories were available in Douala through a local representative, Santec. Addressing reporters earlier in Akwa, Douala, Prof. Léopold Lehman, Chairman of Santec, Douala, said its goal in Africa was to seek the advancement of health care: “We are here to ensure that medical laboratory professionals have the best possible information for patient management.”

Ghanaian-born Eric Osei Asante alluded to the fact that in some countries in Africa, less than 5 per cent of the budget is spent on laboratory testing; whereas over 70 per cent of decisions by medical doctors depend on laboratory or clinical testing.