L-Team Laboratory Training was conducted in Vientiane, Laos, for 25 participants from provincial and Vientiane hospitals. This training was co-sponsored by the Lao National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), the Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU) and DTRA to increase participant knowledge for the recognition, isolation and identification of Burkholderia pseudomallei(Bps) while applying steps to reduce the risk of laboratory acquired infection. The training involved laboratory exercises and the use of job aids and SOPs to promote skills for specimen processing, biosafety, identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and reporting. There were both individual presentations and group presentations by the participants to encourage discussion and propose plans for improved laboratory practice. The participants were actively engaged and demonstrated enhanced skills through observations and a training post-test.
From Left, Center-Front: Cambodia Country Director-Joanne Letchford, Deputy Director-Laboratory-Dr Phonepadith Xangsayarath, Director-Dr Onechanh Keosavanh (Center-front) and representing Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Jessica Marks, Head of Laboratory Bacteriology- Dr Noikaseumsy Sithivong.