What is SLMTA?
SLMTA is a PEPFAR flagship program for strengthening laboratory systems. It was launched in 2009 simultaneously with the SLIPTA program, which provides a stepwise approach to measuring progress towards accreditation. While SLIPTA measures the laboratory quality by conducting audits, SLMTA provides the how-to with training and mentoring. These 2 programs complement each other and together they provide the tools and processes needed to turn the aspirations of lab accreditation into reality. There is no doubt that the laboratory landscape has been transformed in the past 15 years.
SLMTA is not just one training curriculum, but a series of learning tools created overtime in response to the evolving laboratory needs.
Click to learn about the evolution of the SLMTA program & course offerings
Click to learn how SLMTA aided the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic
Accomplishment To Date
To date, SLMTA has been implemented in 1643 laboratories in 56 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and even the Oceania. It has helped 398 laboratories attain accreditation to international standards.
![Accredited Labs](/assets/images/slmta-accredited-labs.png?v=1720601906)
See all Accredited Labs
What do we want to achieve ?
- Vision
- Mission
- Goals
Better patient outcomes through sustainable quality laboratory systems and universal access to accurate, reliable, and timely laboratory results for correct diagnosis worldwide.
To transform the laboratory system by strengthening quality management systems aligned to international standards using a continuous quality improvement approach, and by fostering a quality culture based on excellence of services.
To implement the SLMTA/ SLIPTA* program and set laboratories on their path to accreditation as a measure to assure quality diagnosis, disease surveillance and outbreak response.
*SLIPTA - Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation
My SLMTA Story
![David Cortes, Panama](/uploads/slmta-story/david-cortes.png)
![Siyem Christa, Cameroon](/uploads/slmta-story/siyem-christa.jpg)
![Khadijat Adabale, Nigeria](/uploads/slmta-story/khadijat-adabale.jpg)
![Jeanne KASALI, DRC](/uploads/slmta-story/jeanne-kasali.jpg)
![Theophilus Ugbem, Nigeria](/uploads/slmta-story/theophilus-ugbem.jpg)
![Lucia Sisya, Zimbabwe](/uploads/slmta-story/lucia-sisya.jpg)
![Vianna Rojas, Dominican Rep.](/uploads/slmta-story/vianna-rojas.jpg)
![Fany Cardenas, Peru](/uploads/slmta-story/fany-cardenas.jpg)
![Dr. Isabel Pinto, Mozambique](/uploads/slmta-story/isabel-pinto.jpg)
![Dr. Cidalia Tembe, Mozambique](/uploads/slmta-story/cidala-tembe.jpg)
![Susan Tovela, Mozambique](/uploads/slmta-story/susan-tovela.jpg)
![Anthony Okure G., South Sudan](/uploads/slmta-story/anthony-okure.jpg)
![Tanzania Country Story](/uploads/slmta-story/tanzania.jpg)
![Rose Achiro and Wani Stephen, South Sudan](/uploads/slmta-story/rose-achiro-wani-stephen.jpg)
![Chipo Chimedza, Zimbabwe](/uploads/slmta-story/chipo-chimedza.jpg)
![Ihisa Peter D., South Sudan](/uploads/slmta-story/ilhisa-peter.jpg)
![Dr. Aminu Bashir Mohd., Nigeria](/uploads/slmta-story/aminu-bashir.jpg)
![Cambodia Country Story](/uploads/slmta-story/cambodia-story.png)
![Nigeria Country Story](/uploads/slmta-story/nigeria-story.jpg)
![Juma Chaplain K., South Sudan](/uploads/slmta-story/juma-chaplain.jpg)
![Kukila Jonathan, DRC](/uploads/slmta-story/kukila-jonathan.jpg)
Listen to the SLMTA Songs
![](/uploads/songs/slmta-album-artwork.jpg)
![](/uploads/songs/tanzania.png)
![](/uploads/songs/zimbabwe.png)
![](/uploads/songs/fiji.png)
![](/uploads/songs/cameroon.png)
![](/uploads/songs/nigeria.png)
![](/uploads/songs/kenya.png)
![](/uploads/songs/South-Africa.png)
Testimonials
Statistical Quality Control & Method Validation/Verification:10-week eLearning (27 Feb – 3 May, 2024) plus ECHO sessions (6 – 17 May, 2024).
Now that I know how to do the right things, I consider myself a QCMV brand ambassador by not only teaching and mentoring colleagues but most importantly, walking the talk. This will tremendously improve the quality of the laboratory's results which will translate into quality patients' care. There will be no better testimony than the number of patients receiving high quality laboratory results as a result of skills and technical know-how gained from the QCMV Course.
Sanderson, Malawi
Statistical Quality Control & Method Validation/Verification:10-week eLearning (27 Feb – 3 May, 2024) plus ECHO sessions (6 – 17 May, 2024).
The interactive nature of the course distinguishes it from other e-learning programs by giving you the opportunity to ask questions directly to the facilitators and be clarified. it also offers the opportunity to interact directly with participants from other labs around the world for experience sharing. If this course is completely applied, the frontline worker will be confident in the results produced and the laboratory will be contributing to proper diagnosis and treatment of patients.
I really appreciate this course.
Mbongko, Cameroon
Statistical Quality Control & Method Validation/Verification:10-week eLearning (27 Feb – 3 May, 2024) plus ECHO sessions (6 – 17 May, 2024).
I recommend taking this course to all laboratory professionals because it:
- Goes along with a ‘simple words about the complex’ approach
- Includes exclusively important and essential information for routine work
- Is based on a thoroughly planned and thought program which is a great theory-practice combination
- Rewards you with fantastic atmosphere that contributes to professional growth
Iryna, Ukraine
Statistical Quality Control & Method Validation/Verification:10-week eLearning (27 Feb – 3 May, 2024) plus ECHO sessions (6 – 17 May, 2024).
I found and experienced the QCMV course transformative! It hectic but extremely necessary. It is a world where your skills meet purpose. You find new colleagues, who share the same goals as you, you learn from the world on how to implement QC in your laboratories. With engaging lectures and practical exercises, it's a journey of growth and empowerment. Join me in unlocking our potential as scientists and making a difference.
Mbalenhle, South Africa
Statistical Quality Control & Method Validation/Verification:10-week eLearning (27 Feb – 3 May, 2024) plus ECHO sessions (6 – 17 May, 2024).
I would recommend this course because it provides the laboratory with many statistical tools aligned to ensure the validity of examination results, as specified in the ISO 15189:2022 standard. I found this course very interesting, as it involves continuous learning and practicing exercises on worksheets, job aids, and handouts, aimed at understanding the objectives of the activities, restating the main ideas, and implementing them in the laboratory routine.
Janett, Peru
Statistical Quality Control & Method Validation/Verification:10-week eLearning (27 Feb – 3 May, 2024) plus ECHO sessions (6 – 17 May, 2024).
The QCMV course is an extraordinary and useful one. In the laboratory, we used to carry out quality controls (internal and external) but we didn't have a lot of knowledge and mastery of certain performance criteria of a test or method. We also maked a limited interpretation of our QC results, method comparison, linearity, accuracy, and precision. Now because of this course, facilitated by highly competent experts, we know even more about how to ensure and improve the quality of our laboratory analysis results. We really thank to the organizers of this course and to all the facilitators.
Papa, Senegal
Statistical Quality Control & Method Validation/Verification:10-week eLearning (27 Feb – 3 May, 2024) plus ECHO sessions (6 – 17 May, 2024).
Definitely, I would recommend QCMV course to my colleagues. Firstly, QCMV course provided me with a lot of important information about statistical quality control in the laboratory, validation/verification, PT, in addition, it also provided practical tools and strategies for improving processes in the laboratory, which I can and will directly apply in our laboratory to increase our measurements and research results reliability. QCMV course really helped me to improve my skills, I personally received a lot of information, so I will confidently recommend it to my colleagues, share and show in practice everything that I received in this course, how to correctly apply tools and rules, interpret the results obtained both inside the laboratory and results external quality assessment programs etc.
Baarinisa, Kyrgyz Republic
SLMTA 3 e-Learning webinar series - Cohort #2
It is amazing that I could acquire such knowledge, skills and have so much fun all in the comfort of my room. The structure of the course is so flexible that it permitted me to attend to my normal routines while still learning.
Although an e-learning course, it in no way downplayed the SLMTA learning culture – lectures, homework, homework debriefs, breaking into rooms for group work during sessions, interaction with other participants, earning of SLMTA dollars and swelling of SLMTA bank accounts, the games and all the fun associated with it. The virtual environment was able to simulate a typical SLMTA classroom and nothing was missed as far as the SLMTA style of learning is concerned. The recorded lectures and the recording of the live sessions are such valuable resources that one can always refer to at any time.
Nakeli Nicoline Batumani, Cameroon
SLMTA 3 e-Learning webinar series - Cohort #2
If ISO 15189 accreditation sounds like a foreign language, you need SLMTA 3 e-Learning course to translate. If you feel overwhelmed with QMS implementation, you need SLMTA 3 e-Learning course to take you process by process; clause by clause with resources galore!
Janet Claudia Neil, Jamaica
SLMTA 3 e-Learning webinar series - Cohort #2
Words cannot express how grateful I am for having got an opportunity to attend the SLMTA e-learning course. I have not remained the same, the principles of QMS have not only impacted my professional work, in fact, all facets of my life have in a way been touched by these principles and I am happily applying them in my everyday life as well. With the concepts that I have learnt, I am able to do things differently. The course has equipped me with knowledge to look at issues more holistically and above all I am better informed at guiding issues to do with Laboratory QMS.
Patricia Akello, Uganda
SLMTA 3 e-Learning webinar series - Cohort #2
The SLMTA course has been exciting, enlightening and emboldening. The course is not a stroll in the park, but it will definitely empower laboratorians to meet their laboratories' QMS goals. For those skeptical about virtual learning, brace yourselves for one of the most interactive and impactful online trainings.
Kudakwashe Chitumbura, Zimbabwe
SLMTA 3 e-Learning webinar series - Cohort #1
ISO 15189 requirements has been demystified, made understandable to the simplest level by experienced and expert facilitators. There is no way you will attend the SLMTA 3 e-learning course and your laboratory will not have accreditation. If your laboratory is already accredited, this course will definitely help you to sustain the accreditation; if not then accreditation is at your doorstep already with the knowledge and skills you will acquire from this course.
Anna Kadaa Gwanfogbe, Cameroon
SLMTA 3 e-Learning webinar series - Cohort #1
Achieving accreditation is now simplified, simply enroll into this class and the road to accreditation is paved
SLMTA 3 e-learning course is the game changer in QMS implementation, demystifying ISO15189, learning at the comfort of your home.
Alice June, Kenya
SLMTA 3 e-Learning webinar series - Cohort #1
I am so privileged to have attended this training because it has cemented the wider approach to processes and simplified it that even if you are not in a classroom setting. The virtual environment has been tuned to mimic a classroom
The SLMTA E-learning is as good as interacting in person. The fun is endless - the games week in week out, the content has been staggered to accommodate any busy schedule, the homeworks are flexible with ample time of 4 days to work on before submission (48hrs before live session).
Philemon Pickson Ndhlovu, Malawi
SLMTA 3 e-Learning webinar series - Cohort #1
Even though I have attended most SLMTA trainings, this course helps me to refresh my memory and fill my gaps well. In my opinion all course contents are very important but QMS 4 is vital and needs to detail since occurrence management, internal audit and management review are pillars for continual improvement.
Daniel Dejene, Ethiopia
QCMV eLearning 2024 Cohort
This is a very exciting course where many beliefs and previous knowledge is both challenged and enhanced. Most of the trainings that we did on QC and Method Verification were simply by word of mouth, cascaded down to us by senior members according to their own understanding. Unfortunately, it was not always the case that we would understand everything. Most of the reports we did were based on following SOPs but not necessarily understanding the concepts involved.
Lydia, Zimbabwe
Dancing with the Stars
SLMTA in Print
![](./assets/images/slmta-in-print.jpg)
AJLM's special supplement on SLMTA ‐ evidence of our successes and lessons learned
SLMTA in Motion
Check out the SLMTA music video produced by CDC-Vietnam (featuring David C Murray)