Inside Noguchi Institute's 4-Star Certification Journey

How can Africa strengthen the safe and secure handling of high-risk pathogens? In this video, Africa CDC and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) in Ghana discuss the High Containment Facilities Regulatory and Certification Framework and its role in advancing biosafety, biosecurity, and health security across Africa. The framework was launched by Africa CDC to help laboratories handling high-risk pathogens meet internationally aligned minimum standards through a structured assessment and recognition process. Certified facilities are evaluated against risk-based biosafety and biosecurity requirements and awarded a star rating based on their performance. In this feature, the Senior Technical Officer for Biosafety and Biosecurity, Mr Zibusiso Masuku of Africa CDC, and the Director of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) in Ghana, Prof Dorothy Yeboah Manu, and the Biorisk Manager at the Institute, Mr Charles Quaye, share how the certification framework is driving quality, accountability, and continuous improvement in laboratory systems. This video explores: • The importance of biosafety and biosecurity in protecting public health • How the certification framework supports safe pathogen handling • The value of standardized assessments and quality improvement • Noguchi Institute's journey to achieving a four-star certification • The role of teamwork, leadership, and continuous improvement in certification success • How certified laboratories strengthen biosurveillance and outbreak preparedness • Why more laboratories across Africa should participate in the programme As one of the first laboratories certified under the framework, the Noguchi Memorial Institute demonstrates how investment in quality systems, infrastructure, workforce development, and collaboration can strengthen laboratory excellence and health security across the continent. 📌 Learn more about Africa CDC's Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiative. 📌 Subscribe for more stories on laboratory medicine, diagnostics, and public health in Africa. #AfricaCDC #Biosafety #Biosecurity #HealthSecurity #LaboratorySystems #PublicHealth #Diagnostics #GlobalHealthSecurity #OneHealth #Ghana #NoguchiInstitute