SOCIALAB

Description

Despite current efforts and the impressive resources made available, medical laboratories still face major challenges and have a limited contribution to health care delivery, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We postulate that sociocultural and historical factors exist that exacerbate the lack of financial resources and adversely influence the position and functioning of laboratory services on various levels within the medical sector and in society, more generally.

This project examined how organizational, political, sociocultural and historical factors shaped the views of health policymakers and others regarding medical laboratories and how they influence the organization, service delivery and success of current interventions to upscale laboratories in health facilities in Senegal. The programme will use a transdisciplinary approach linking Dutch, Senegalese and French research institutions with local stakeholders to understand the underutilization of laboratory tests in ANC in Senegal.