Table 1.

Key components of the laboratory quality assurance programme

Component	Example
Personnel training and competencies	Microscopy/malaria RDT trainings, proficiency testing
Essential laboratory equipment and utilities	Functional microscopes, electricity, water
Essential laboratory consumables and supplies	Slides, stain, gloves
Reference materials	National laboratory guidelines, bench and job aides
Internal QA/QC practices	SOP for equipment calibration, slide cross-checking
External QA/QC programmes	Stepwise Laboratory Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA)
Standard operating procedures	Specimen collection, slide preparation
Safety practices	Personal protective equipment use, waste disposal

RDT rapid diagnostic test, QA/QC quality assurance/quality control, SOP standard operating procedure