Developing Sustainable Diagnostic Laboratory Infrastructure Models for Emerging and Resource Constrained Health Systems
Abstract
Background: Diagnostic laboratories are foundational to effective health systems, yet many emerging and resource-constrained settings face persistent deficits in infrastructure, workforce capacity, quality assurance, and sustainability. These gaps undermine disease surveillance, timely diagnosis, antimicrobial stewardship, and public health decision-making. Objective: This study proposes a comprehensive, sustainable diagnostic laboratory infrastructure model tailored to emerging and resource-constrained health systems, integrating technical, financial, governance, and digital dimensions to enhance resilience, equity, and long-term performance. Methods: A conceptual synthesis approach was adopted, drawing on peer-reviewed literature, global health policy frameworks, and implementation experiences from low- and middle-income countries. Key domains were systematically analyzed, including facility design, equipment lifecycle management, human resources, supply chain optimization, quality management systems, financing mechanisms, and data integration. These domains were consolidated into an adaptive, modular framework aligned with universal health coverage and health system strengthening principles. Results: The proposed model emphasizes phased infrastructure development, prioritizing essential diagnostics, standardized laboratory tiers, and context-appropriate technology selection. Sustainability is reinforced through preventive maintenance strategies, pooled procurement, task-shifting and continuous professional development, and integration of laboratory information systems with national health data architectures. Innovative financing options, such as blended finance, public–private partnerships, and performance-based funding, are incorporated to reduce donor dependency. Governance components focus on regulatory harmonization, accreditation pathways, and accountability mechanisms to ensure quality, safety, and equity. Conclusion: Developing sustainable diagnostic laboratory infrastructure requires moving beyond fragmented investments toward integrated, systems-level models that balance technical robustness with financial and institutional feasibility. The framework presented provides policymakers, health planners, and development partners with a practical blueprint for strengthening diagnostic capacity in resource-constrained settings. By embedding sustainability, digital integration, and governance from the outset, the model supports improved health outcomes, pandemic preparedness, and progress toward resilient and equitable health systems. Implementation of this model is adaptable across disease priorities, including infectious diseases, noncommunicable conditions, and emergency response contexts, while remaining sensitive to local epidemiology, governance capacity, and socioeconomic constraints. Future research should empirically validate the framework through pilot deployments, cost-effectiveness analyses, and longitudinal assessments of diagnostic access, quality, and system resilience outcomes across diverse health sectors and financing environments globally in low resource settings.
Keywords
Diagnostic Laboratories; Health System Strengthening; Sustainability; Resource-Constrained Settings; Laboratory Infrastructure; Global Health Systems
Citations
IRE Journals:
AbuYusuf Aminu-Ibrahim, John Chinemerem Ogbete, Kazeem Babatunde Ambali "Developing Sustainable Diagnostic Laboratory Infrastructure Models for Emerging and Resource Constrained Health Systems" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 1 Issue 8 2018 Page 228-249 https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV1I8-1713586
IEEE:
AbuYusuf Aminu-Ibrahim, John Chinemerem Ogbete, Kazeem Babatunde Ambali
"Developing Sustainable Diagnostic Laboratory Infrastructure Models for Emerging and Resource Constrained Health Systems" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 1(8) https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV1I8-1713586
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