Biosafety Initiatives in BMENA Region: Identification of Gaps and Advances

Khan, Erum; Ahmed, Nayla; Temsamani, Khalid Riffi; El-Gendy, Atef; Cohen, Murray; Hasan, Azeem; Gastfriend, Hilliard; Cole, Jennifer

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2016.00044

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…Technology transfer is crucial to achieve sustained scientific growth and build cooperation between countries. Programs such as seminars, conferences, workshops, policy documents related to biorisk management in biomedical and biotechnology laboratories are needed to create awareness among scientists (Khan et al 2016).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Trends in Biorisk Management

Bathula¹,

Rakhimol²

2017

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This report recapitulates the diverse aspects of biological safety. Biological laboratory is a space that facilitates the handling and storage of microorganisms, their components or their derivatives. Laboratories that handle dangerous pathogens have to act in a responsible manner to manage the safety and security threats posed by these pathogens. This necessity was foreground in the December 2008 World at risk report, which specifically demanded bioscience laboratories that handle dangerous pathogens to implement a unified laboratory biorisk management framework to enhance their safety and security. The report also discusses the guidelines of biosafety regulations provided by World Health Organization (WHO) that are necessary to adequately and sustainably manage these biorisks and helps in better understanding of risk governance approaches for laboratories that handle dangerous pathogens to achieve the ultimate goal of minimizing or preventing the occurrence and consequences of human error within the laboratory environment: the biorisk management approach, composed of biosafety, laboratory biosecurity and ethical responsibility. It preferably provides an agreement between authorities, the public, and the scientific community establishing trust and societal safety and security, while enabling the continued progress of science. Biorisk management approach demonstrates that biorisks in all their potential forms are appropriately addressed, managed and minimized. Thus, biorisk management has become an important aspect of the development and sustainability of biological activities.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Trends in Biorisk Management

Bathula¹,

Rakhimol²

2017

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“…Rapid and culture-free diagnostics are promoted as a facet of biological risk management. The transport of infectious substances will also be taken into account" (6).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…BMS is based on a management system approach, which enables an organization to effectively identify, assess, control, and evaluate the biosafety and biosecurity risks inherent in its activity (7). However, they typically have focused only on few key elements of a national BMS, usually due to various constraints, such as budgetary limitations, time, or simply a limited understanding of what is a BMS (4)(5)(6)8). Lessons from our extensive work in Burkina Faso (development of a national biosafety guideline, development of a biosafety and biosecurity assessment tool, conducting biosafety and biosecurity assessments, development of national biosafety regulations, and training of national assessors); other collaborations in Armenia, Burundi, Cameron, Guinea, Ghana, Georgia, Laos, Mauritania (organization of biosafety support, trainings and or assessments); Liberia and India (biosafety training, development of a national biosafety guideline, and specific support); Morocco (development of an laboratory infrastructure guideline); Sudan, Myanmar and Ethiopia (BSL3 assessments and/or trainings) (all unpublished), as well as observed gaps in various project countries which include: inadequate biosafety policies, lack of biosafety cabinet certification programs, lack of pre-service laboratory biosafety training curricula, absence of biosafety training packages and cascade training, and lack of IATA certified international shipment of infectious material capacities, have led us to a comprehensive and systems-based approach for a national BMS that can be sustainable and country-owned.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Orelle

Nikièma

Zakaryan

et al. 2021

Front. Public Health

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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.

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“…2 Over the past years, national and international initiatives and programs have been launched to promote and provide a variety of trainings, conferences, workshops, and seminars in the broader Middle East and North Africa (BMENA). 3 These initiatives aimed to raise awareness among the scientific community about different biorisk management (BRM) topics in the BMENA region to comply with international biosafety and biosecurity policies. 3 In Egypt, most BRM courses have not been effectively delivered to researchers working in biomedical science–related fields, as most are delivered either using a traditional passive learning approach or through different reading materials and written polices and guidelines.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3 These initiatives aimed to raise awareness among the scientific community about different biorisk management (BRM) topics in the BMENA region to comply with international biosafety and biosecurity policies. 3 In Egypt, most BRM courses have not been effectively delivered to researchers working in biomedical science–related fields, as most are delivered either using a traditional passive learning approach or through different reading materials and written polices and guidelines. Due to the wide range in the scope of the life science field, biosafety and biosecurity are not considered as fixed concepts with a single correct way of achieving the end goal.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementation of Active Learning Approach to Teach Biorisk Management and Dual-Use Research of Concern in Egypt

2019

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Introduction: Frequent reports of laboratory- and hospital-acquired infection in Egypt suggested a deficiency in handling hazardous samples and microorganisms among different researchers and professionals. The most common cause of laboratory incidents and potential exposure is often identified as a lack of biosafety training. Methods: In this study, we designed and implemented an effective laboratory biorisk management (BRM) training. Two workshops were delivered to 42 faculty members working in laboratories handling biological material in Egypt. The workshop modules were based on the global biorisk management curriculum developed by Sandia National Laboratories, with some modifications. The content was delivered to actively engaging participants in the learning process that included group work, case studies and scenarios, short presentations, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and questions and answers that created analytical thinking situations. These workshops introduced the concept of biorisk management, which combines risk assessment, risk mitigation, and performance systems and dual-use research of concern. Results: Results of pre-tests/post-tests revealed significant ( P < .001) improvement in knowledge acquisition among participants. Course evaluation surveys indicate that most participants felt that these teaching methods met their needs and that their personal laboratory practices would change as a result of the training course. Conclusion: We conclude that using varied hands-on strategies in teaching biorisk management provided the participants with the skills, tools, and confidence to guide their laboratory staff and colleagues on sustainable biorisk management to reduce the risks associated with infectious disease research in a laboratory setting.

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Biosafety Initiatives in BMENA Region: Identification of Gaps and Advances

Cited by 9 publications

References 0 publications

Global Trends in Biorisk Management

Global Trends in Biorisk Management

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

Implementation of Active Learning Approach to Teach Biorisk Management and Dual-Use Research of Concern in Egypt

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