National Biosafety Management System: A Combined Framework Approach Based on 15 Key Elements

Abstract

The pervasive nature of infections causing major outbreaks have elevated biosafety and biosecurity as a fundamental component for resilient national laboratory systems. In response to international health security demands, the Global Health Security Agenda emphasizes biosafety as one of the prerequisites to respond effectively to infectious disease threats. However, biosafety management systems (BMS) in low-medium income countries (LMIC) remain weak due to fragmented implementation strategies. In addition, inefficiencies in implementation have been due to limited resources, inadequate technical expertise, high equipment costs, and insufficient political will. Here we propose an approach to developing a strong, self-sustaining BMS based on extensive experience in LMICs. A conceptual framework incorporating 15 key components to guide implementers, national laboratory leaders, global health security experts in building a BMS is presented. This conceptual framework provides a holistic and logical approach to the development of a BMS with all critical elements. It includes a flexible planning matrix with timelines easily adaptable to different country contexts as examples, as well as resources that are critical for developing sustainable technical expertise.

The role of international support programmes in global health security capacity building: A scoping review

“…International support programmes play a recognised role in sharing and developing technical expertise for IHR core competencies. Sustainable skills development is crucial, for instance through refresher training, mentorship, sub-national cascade training and “training of trainers”, or local-level capacity building [ 30 , 31 , 44 , 49 ]. However, training or “technical skills development” based interventions often are delivered in isolation from sustainable knowledge transfer or other supportive structures, failing to recognise systemic and structural factors which cause and compound IHR-related technical capacity weaknesses [ 13 , 20 , 49 – 51 ].…”

“…Inadequate and unsustainable finance, human resources, or other resources are frequently cited barriers to public health emergency responses and sustainable IHR capacity building [ 13 , 30 , 32 , 38 , 45 , 55 – 57 ]; resource shortages and financial under-investment have again been highlighted through the COVID-19 pandemic [ 15 , 58 ]. Increased predictable and sustainable national and international financing for IHR implementation is urgently required [ 14 ]–specifically including financial investment in public health infrastructure and IHR core capacity development [ 6 , 13 , 31 , 53 , 59 ].…”

A study on occupational stress, mental health and impact on work capacity of biosafety laboratory workers in China

“…Firstly, from the perspective of the management system of biosafety, BSL decision makers and HR experts should improve the management policy of high level biosafety laboratories [39] , strengthen laboratory biosafety supervision [40,41] , adopt scienti c and reasonable methods to motivate employees, improve the working environment of biosafety laboratory barriers to mobilize employees' work motivation, communicate with them at the right time and meet their reasonable needs [42][43][44] , and reduce their anxiety. Anxiety has a predictive effect on occupational stress; therefore, interventions on the anxiety situation of biosafety laboratory employees may have a positive effect on the reduction of their occupational stress.…”

Strengthening laboratory biosafety in Liberia during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experience from the Global Laboratory Leadership Programme

“…Trainings and assessments should be incorporated as a part of routine competency assessment for laboratory professionals. Furthermore, a key goal and responsibility of laboratory leadership as part of capacity building is to address laboratory biosafety and biosecurity gaps and implement a sustainable and proactive management system at the country level [ 23 ].…”