For almost 20 years now, the Mérieux Foundation has been supporting clinical biology laboratories, helping them to reinforce their capacities for biological diagnosis and surveillance in countries with limited resources, which are particularly exposed to infectious diseases and threats of epidemics.
Access to biological diagnosis for vulnerable groups of people is the main focus of the Mérieux Foundation’s work and involves setting up high-quality laboratories, which are involved in monitoring infectious diseases and in tackling antimicrobial resistance. Since 2020, the laboratories supported by the Mérieux Foundation have been actively supporting the efforts required for the diagnosis, monitoring, and control of the Covid-19 pandemic.
From the design of structures to the introduction of laboratory systems
Known for its expertise in the field of biological diagnosis, the Mérieux Foundation works with national and international organizations, both in the private and public sector, to design high-level laboratories that fulfil international biosecurity standards. As well as setting up infrastructure and developing skills, the Foundation also provides management consultancy with the aim of improving the laboratories’ financial autonomy. It also works alongside national health authorities to contribute towards the construction of laboratory systems to maximize the impact of laboratory activities on public health.
Since 2020, significant emergency funds for dealing with Covid-19 allocated by many of the Foundation’s partners have led to the general reinforcement of diagnosis capacities.
2021 was a year marked by health restrictions and the deteriorating political situation in many of the countries in which the Foundation operates, including Myanmar, Lebanon, Guinea, and Haiti. Teams working for the Foundation demonstrated a high level of responsiveness, allowing them to adapt their actions in the field and continue to support local players in contexts that had deteriorated considerably.
Quality Initiative, 9 laboratory members in 2021
Launched in 2014, the Mérieux Foundation’s Quality Initiative is a program providing support for Rodolphe Mérieux Laboratories that are members of the GABRIEL network to adopt a quality management system (international ISO 15189:2012 standard). In 2021, the third quality management MOOC edition – Massive Open Online Course – organized by the Mérieux Foundation in partnership with AFNOR and the Institut Pasteur brought together more than 4,000 participants from 97 countries.