Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) has been supporting and will continue to support the improvement and expansion of the national laboratory quality systems with the objective to implement the quality management system and internationally recognized laboratory standards in national and regional laboratories. In addition, CLSI will work to progressively raise the laboratory assessment scores through the WHO-AFRO accreditation scheme and/or achieve accreditation by alternative international standards accreditation process. CLSI will ensure increased development of national laboratory operational and quality management for sustainability of quality management system (QMS) and achieve accreditation status at targeted laboratories. The QMS and accreditation will continue to expand to all laboratory tiers throughout Ethiopia. The support is critical for the realization of the goals set by the Ethiopian laboratory system in the national integrated laboratory strategic plan for 2009-2013.

CLSI's standards-driven approach, together with the implementation of QMS bridges the gap between pre-service training and in field application. This foundation prepares laboratory personnel to successfully implement and sustain the technical assistance of laboratory coalition partners across all laboratory disciplines. The technical assistance by CLSI includes laboratory technical operations, operational and quality management. The management and quality staffs are supported continuously to ensure ongoing progress and accountability. Leadership development is enhanced through sponsored membership in CLSI including opportunities to participate in CLSI standards development committees and professional conferences. CLSI therefore, will focus on fostering strong leadership among the quality officers, laboratory management and technical staff at national and regional laboratories in order to sustain laboratory improvements and standardize training and improvement methods across various sites and within the tiers of the laboratory system.

CLSI to address the important objectives follows very thoughtful and systematic laboratory support approaches that starts with the needs assessment. Based on the gaps identified during the assessment process, CLSI will assign mentors to the targeted laboratories to work with laboratory management, quality officers and technical staff for skill transfer and sustainability. In addition, CLSI will develop comprehensive work plan on specific training needs, corrective actions and continuous quality improvement plans. There will always be training and educational sessions and continuous mentoring programs associated with gap analysis activities. In general, CLSI has the ability to utilize all available tools and technologies including teleconferences, communication systems and internet technology, file sharing software, the WHO-AFRO accreditation assessment tools, WHO-CDC-CLSI QMS training materials and laboratory standards to equip laboratories to meet quality and accreditation goals. CLSI works very closely with CDC, EHNRI and other implementing partners to support the implementation of the national integrated laboratory strategic plan. The scope of work is regularly reviewed and aligned based on the specific needs of the national laboratory program. CLSI has established strong monitoring and evaluation process which involves laboratory self assessment and gap analysis process based on the QMS and the criteria of selected accreditation agencies (e.g. SANAS, JCI, CAP, WHO-AFRO).

CLSI maintains no in-country presence and works in tandem with local CDC laboratory personnel who are co-located in EHNRI, thereby maximizing efficiency in terms of cost and having technical assistance appropriately targeted in advance.

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