Across Africa, medical laboratories play a critical role in diagnosing disease, guiding treatment, and monitoring community health. Yet many facilities still face gaps in staffing, training, and resources that limit their impact. Recognizing this challenge, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention emphasize that “a resilient health system starts with a strong workforce”—a reminder that investing in laboratory training is essential for strengthening healthcare systems and preparing for future crises.
At Malamulo College of Health Sciences in Malawi, this investment is taking shape through the Advanced Lab Training Program, supported by Adventist Health International (AHI) and hosted at Malawi Adventist University-Malamulo Campus (MAU-M), which is the site of one of Loma Linda University Health’s (LLUH) 5 global campuses. The program is designed to strengthen the skills of medical laboratory professionals across Africa, equipping them with advanced techniques and leadership training they can take back to their own institutions.
The training course, led by clinical lab consultants Ben Siapco, MS and Eric Aldovino, has pushed both instructors and students to dig deep. “By God’s grace, the training has been successful,” Ben shared. “We had so many ‘how-to’ questions that we ended up working 10-hour days and even Sundays. The positive feedback from the participants energized everyone to press on and learn more. What a labor of love!” That dedication has been met with equal enthusiasm from the students, who testify that the techniques and teaching methods are unlike anything they have experienced before.
The impact of the training extends beyond the clinical laboratory. Students and faculty at MAU-M are inspired by the spiritual and cultural contributions of course participants, and colloboration has enriched campus worship and community life. According to school leaders, the spirit of unity and inspiration brought by this group has been unlike anything they have witnessed before.
Most importantly, the graduates of this program are committed to applying what they learn in practical, transformative ways. From improving diagnostic accuracy to enhancing patient monitoring, the skills gained from this training program will directly improve patient outcomes in hospitals and clinics across Africa. One faculty observer expressed a personal commitment to use these skills to elevate the quality of education for the next generation of laboratory scientists at the university.
Such stories highlight the far-reaching potential of programs like this. As clinical laboratory professionals return to their home institutions, the benefits multiply: better diagnosis, better health care, healthier communities. And at the heart of it all is a spirit of dedication that transcends technical skills. As Ben reflected, “From the outset, the unity of the students as they worked together through challenges was palpable. They are driven and committed to continuing the healing and teaching ministry of Jesus Christ—and what could be more unique than that?”
By equipping skilled, mission-driven laboratory leaders, the Advanced Lab Training Program embodies the vision of AHI and LLUH - to empower international institutions to meet their own health challenges with excellence, compassion, and faith. In a region where clinical laboratories are both urgently needed and full of untapped potential, this program stands as a model of what is possible when global partnership meets local commitment.