Global Health Worker Initiative Strengthens Laboratory Workforce

The White House has released a report marking two years of progress under the Global Health Worker Initiative (GHWI). Through the GHWI, the United States has collaborated with countries and communities worldwide to strengthen the health workforce, ensuring health workers are safer and better equipped to deliver high-quality care.

The U.S. allocates more than $1.5 billion annually to support health workers through bilateral programs like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and global health security initiatives. For FY24, USAID received $10 million in new funding to support the GHWI, and the President’s 2025 Budget has requested $20 million to expand this crucial work.

This ambitious program focuses on four key pillars central for bolstering global health systems:

• Protecting and Supporting Health Workers
• Expanding the Global Health Workforce and Accelerating Economic Development
• Advancing Equity and Inclusion
• Driving and Investing in Technological Advancements and Innovation

The GHWI has strengthened the global laboratory workforce through several initiatives, from extensive training in infection prevention and control in Uganda to the certification of biosafety cabinets in Senegal. During disease outbreaks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supported crucial molecular serotype testing, and they have implemented telemedicine in conflict zones and utilized virtual education models to reach workers in rural communities. Additionally, the CDC's Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) has been pivotal in training health workers to swiftly detect and respond to outbreaks, underscoring the essential role of skilled laboratory professionals in global health security.

The GHWI demonstrates the U.S. commitment to building a resilient global health workforce. The continued support and strategic investments by the United States are critical to ensuring a strong, equitable, and well-equipped health workforce.

The White House’s report also highlights the successful use of virtual learning strategies and telemedicine, particularly in rural or hard-to-reach communities. This approach aligns with ASCP’s global health initiatives, including the Partners for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment telepathology program, and our Project ECHO educational programs.

In 2019, ASCP, working together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Mozambique’s Ministry of Health, implemented a Project ECHO tele-mentorship program across all 14 molecular biology (HIV viral load) testing laboratories in 9 provinces in Mozambique. The program’s goal was to support peer-to-peer sharing of best practices on molecular testing and quality management systems. Thanks to this platform being in place, Mozambique was able to quickly respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, using this virtual learning program to facilitate the roll-out of SARS-CoV2 assays during the public health emergency.

ASCP remains committed to exploring how virtual learning modalities and technology can reduce laboratory testing and training gaps so that all patients have access to the highest quality of laboratory services.

For more information, visit the full report here.

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