The GeneLab Bioscience hosted a meeting with representatives from CHAI and PFSCM to discuss advancing approaches to streamline and standardize the procurement of sequencing materials across the region, with the goal of improving laboratory efficiency and sustainability.
Obaroene ogidiagba- (CHAI), Favour Williams- (CHAI), Dr. James Ayorinde (TGL), Sunday Agoro- (PFSCM), Trevor Peter- (CHAI)
Driving Smarter Procurement and Cost Efficiency.
The discussions focused on new procurement models designed to address long standing challenges faced by molecular, genomic and research laboratories that includes reagent wastage and rising project costs. By aligning procurement processes and leveraging regional collaboration, the initiative aims to:
- Boost procurement efficiency
- Reduce laboratory wastage
- Lower project and operational costs
- Strengthen targeted support from channel partners and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
A key highlight of the meeting was the reaffirmed commitment by The GeneLab Bioscience and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) technical teams to provide ongoing training and technical support for polio laboratories adopting the ONT sequencing platform. This support is particularly important for the rapid and sensitive detection of poliovirus in stool and environmental surveillance samples.
The meeting also opened discussions around expanding the community of laboratories under the bundling initiative; offering shared benefits such as:
- Improved pricing through pooled resources
- Reduced wastage
- A unified and validated procurement framework that supports quality and compliance
By expanding the community of participating laboratories, this initiative can improve operational efficiency while ensuring reliable and accurate diagnostic results.