In Nigeria, non-existence of a standardized referral system for clinical samples has been identified as a key challenge for sample movement from referral laboratories to the testing laboratories and delivery of results to health facilities. GHSC-PSM helped establish the National Integrated Specimen Referral Network (NISRN) in collaboration with Ministry of Health agencies and other partners.
This article from the Business Management Dynamics Journal describes how through optimization of laboratory equipment and the use of private-sector third-party logistics provider for NISRN has increased the number of samples tested by 38 percent and the number of healthcare facilities benefiting from referral network increased by 83 percent. NISRN has also made available a rare testing platform to more clients than ever before.
