Assessing the handling and processing of specimen in the medical laboratory services in Tanzania

Abstract

In Tanzania laboratory services were observed to be not providing the quality of services required. It is assumed that the perceived discrepancy between malaria diagnosis and confirming laboratory result might be attributed to incompetence of health personnel. Objective The objective of this research was to explore the competence and extend to which health personnel in Muhimbli hospital comply with procedural norms in malaria diagnosis. Methodology A quantitative approach of explorative descriptive design was used. A survey was done using observation guidelines based on existing policies and norms. Actual practice of malaria diagnosis compared with the policies and procedural norms. Result The data revealed that health personnel are not competence in malaria diagnosis. Conclusion Competence of health personnel is important in malaria diagnosis, a special guideline should be developed and in-service training be implemented to minimize errors in reporting for malaria investigation.