YEREVAN, Armenia — The Turpanjian College of Health Sciences (CHS) of the American University of Armenia (AUA) has published an article on the scale-up of COVID-19 testing network in Armenia in BMC Public Health, an open-access, high impact (impact factor 3.5), peer-reviewed scientific journal. The study examines the scale-up of Armenia’s COVID-19 laboratory testing network, highlighting both its achievements and ongoing challenges. The article, titled “Qualitative assessment of the scale-up of COVID-19 testing network in Armenia: turning adversities into opportunities,” is authored by Zaruhi Grigoryan, B.S. (MPH ’15); Varduhi Hayrumyan, M.S. (MPH ’16); Serine Sahakyan, R.N. (MPH ’15); Varduhi Petrosyan, Ph.D.; and Arusyak Harutyunyan, M.D. (MPH ’09).
The article explores the scale-up experience of the laboratory system in Armenia as well as the successes and challenges it brought to the overall laboratory system with the aim to identify lessons that can serve as opportunities for improvement. The experiences concerning the process of the COVID-19 testing network scale-up was explored through qualitative research involving in-depth interviews with policymakers, experts, and heads and physicians of private and public laboratories conducting COVID-19 testing. The assessment was based on the WHO Laboratory Assessment Tool System (S-LAT) questionnaire as a framework to guide the study and analysis.
Findings from the study indicated that the COVID-19 response led to significant advancements across multiple areas of COVID-19 testing practices. Notable improvements included the establishment of a public-private laboratory network, the adoption of new laboratory information management systems, enhanced compliance with biosafety protocols, strengthened quality assurance mechanisms, and expanded technical and human resources. However, the study also identified several challenges that could impact the laboratory system moving forward, including gaps in overall coordination, inconsistencies in biosafety and quality control measures, and the need for continued training of laboratory personnel. The study emphasized that maintaining and strengthening coordination efforts, investing in workforce development, and improving quality and biosafety control measures will be critical for ensuring the long-term resilience of Armenia’s laboratory system against future public health threats.
The study results informed targeted interventions which included a series of activities, such as identifying gaps in existing legislation and developing policy documents and proposing necessary updates to the relevant ministerial orders, developing and disseminating ten essential Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for laboratory quality improvement, and actively supporting laboratories in adapting these SOPs. Additionally, the project team contributed to the development of the national strategy and action plan for laboratory system strengthening (2023-2026) and updated the local methodological guidance for COVID-19 biosafety and biosecurity management. The project team also conducted activities toward the capacity building for laboratory workers and managers. Through workshops, technical support, and ongoing engagement, the team supported the improvement of COVID-19 testing network capacities in Armenia in 2021-2023.
The paper was published based on a study conducted within the scope of the “Support to control COVID-19 and other infectious disease outbreaks” project aimed at enhancing Armenia’s capacity to manage COVID-19 and other communicable disease outbreaks and potential public health emergencies, thereby bolstering the nation’s preparedness and response strategies. The project was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this article are the sole responsibility of AUA and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States government.
The AUA Turpanjian College of Health Sciences works actively to improve population health and health services in Armenia and the region through interdisciplinary education and development of health professionals to be leaders in public health, nursing, health services research and evaluation, and health care delivery and management.