SOP – Malaria Microscopy - NVBDCP

Quality Assurance of Malaria Diagnostic tests• EQAS by cross-checking of slides and testing of competence level/proficiency by slide/blood panels• an effective logistics system to supply and maintain the essentialequipment, glassware and reagents.4.4 Nodal agencies and networking for QA programme4.4.1 Nodal AgencyDte. of NVBDCP is the nodal agency for the QA programme on laboratory diagnosisof malaria. It is the.• focal point for national and international contacts regarding any issue related to theNational malaria QA programme.• Responsibility of NVBDCP for establishing national standards for training coursesand also for preparation of training materials and modules. Regions and states wouldtranslate these training materials and modules according to local situations andlanguages.• in-charge of the QA division at the Dte would be the Nodal Coordinate for the QAprogramme on behalf of the Director, NVBDCP; who would be responsible for overall activities related to the QA across the country.4.4.2. National Reference Laboratory (NRL)Two National Reference Laboratories are being identified: one for QA of Microscopyand other for RDTs.(i) The National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), Delhi is the National ReferenceLaboratory (NRL) for QA of malaria microscopy. It would• provide technical support to the national QA programme, as per the criteria laid downby the Dte. of NVBDCP.• assign the responsibility for monitoring and evaluation of overall functioning of theregional and state level referral laboratories from time to time and provide feed backto the Dte of NVBDCP as and when required.• assess the competence and performance of Laboratory Technicians (LTs) as well asthe relevant laboratory procedures including equipment, according to standards laiddown in the SOPs.(ii) The National Institute of Biologicals (NIB), Noida U.P., the apex institute for diagnosticsand biologicals is the second National Reference Laboratory (NRL) responsible for QA ofmalaria RDT.4.4.3 Networking4.4.3.1 MicroscopyThe current network would have NRL (NIMR) and involvement of ROH & FWs, GoI, ZMO,NIMR field stations and Regional Medical Research Centres of ICMR. States where ZMOsare functional, they will carry out the cross checking activity in collaboration with ROH & FW,GoI. The states have been divided among identified laboratories as indicated in the Table 1of manual of QA: networking.4.5 Designing of a Quality Assurance Programme (QA Cycle)Followings are the steps in a QA System:SOP – Malaria Microscopy© Copyright to Dte. NVBDCP Only. Any modification are prohibited