Ohio State Global One Health, LLC, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), conducted a training workshop for Ethiopian Postal Service employees who transport influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) samples as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The two-day training workshop in Addis Ababa hosted 20 participants from nine regions. Of the 20 participants, 17 came from the Ethiopian Postal Service and three from the sample reception department at EPHI.
The workshop aimed to strengthen the specimen referral system between ILI/SARI sample collection sites and testing laboratories through sample management and transportation training. Training topics included:
- An introduction to specimen management
- Laboratory record-keeping and documentation
- Laboratory quality specimen management
- Safety in laboratory specimen referral system
- Specimen packaging, labeling, handling and transportation
- Communication