Table 1.
Timetable used in the malaria diagnostic refresher training
| Time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00–8:20 | Welcome Address | Recap 1 and Presentation of Results | Recap 2 and Presentation of Results | Recap 3 and Presentation of Results | Recap 4 |
| 8:20–9:00 | Introduction, ground rules, expectations, groups formation etc | Examination of Blood films | Review of Post-test 1 microscopy slides | Review of Post-test 2 microscopy slides | Review of stained Blood films |
| 9:00–9:40 |
Pre-test (Preparation of blood films) |
MDRT Preparation of blood films (5 slides) | MDRT Preparation of blood films (5 slides) |
MDRT Preparation of blood films (10 slides) (5-Positive and 5 Negative) |
Laboratory safety in malaria diagnosis |
| 9:40–10:10 | Conduct Pre-test (theory) | Quantification of malaria parasites | Artefacts, pseudo-parasites, mixed infections & other parasites (theory) | Introduction to G6PD Testing | |
| 10:10–10:40 | Use, care, and storage of the microscope | Review of Pre-test microscopy slides | Collection of blood for malaria tests | Parasitological stains (theory) | Malaria situation in Ghana Update |
| 10:40–11:00 | Snack Break | Snack Break | Snack Break | Snack Break | Snack Break |
| 11:00–12:40 | Conduct Pre-test-Practical (6 slides–session 1) | Microscopy Post-test Assessment 1 (6 slides–session 1) | Microscopy Post-test Assessment 2 (6 slides–session 1) | Microscopy Post-test Assessment 3 (6 slides–session 1) |
Malaria DHIMS Data from participating facilities Development of SOPS Conduct Post-test (theory) Evaluation |
| 12:40–13:30 | Pre-test (Staining of blood films) | MDRT Staining of blood films (5 slides) | MDRT Staining of blood films (5 slides) | MDRT Staining of blood films (5 slides) | Recap 5 and presentation of MDRT final results |
| 13:30–14:30 | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
| 14:30–16:00 | Conduct Pre-test-Practical (6 slides–session 2) | Microscopy Post-test Assessment 1 (6 slides–session 2) | Microscopy Post-test Assessment 2 (6 slides–session 2) | Microscopy Post-test Assessment 3 (6 slides–session 2) | DISCUSSION–NEXT STEPS –Report writing, requisition of logistics, lobbying etc |
| 16:00–16:30 | Preparation and staining of thick and thin Blood films | Parasite Life Cycle | Principles and procedures of malaria RDTs | Malaria quality assurance-MICROSCOPY and RDT | Closing remarks |
| 16:30 – 18:00 | Conduct Pre-test-Practical (6 slides–session 3) | Microscopy post-test Assessment 1 (6 slides-section 3) | Microscopy post-test Assessment 2 (6 slides section 3) | Microscopy Post-test Assessment 3 (6 slides–session 3) | Snack Break |
| 18:10–18:30 | Snack Break | Snack Break | Snack Break | Snack Break | Snack Break |
| 18:30–20:30 | Facilitators’ Examination and Assessment of Participants’ Stained Blood Films and Meeting | ||||