May 26, 2022

HSP and IBA Host Biorisk Management for Rapid Response Mobile Laboratories (RRMLs) Introductory Workshop in Indonesia

From March 17 - 18, HSP and the Indonesian Biorisk Association (IBA) conducted a successful two-day virtual workshop to introduce biosecurity and biosafety risks and best practices for manufacturers and users of Rapid Response Mobile Laboratories (RRMLs) in Indonesia. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an increase in RRMLs across Indonesia and the Southeast Asia region to provide increased diagnostic testing for the pandemic response. These new laboratories include RRMLs that are fully mobile, as well as those that are fixed but can be moved from one location to another. To ensure biosafety and biosecurity, it is vital that RRMLs conform to national and international guidelines, both in their design and manufacture as well as in day-to-day operations. Bringing together the manufacturers and users from across Indonesia, participants attended the workshop to discuss threats and mitigation measures to ensure biological safety and security in their facilities. During the virtual sessions, participants benefited from lectures presented by local and international subject matter experts on a variety of important topics. These topics included Ministry of Health requirements for mobile laboratories, protecting laboratory staff through biosafety best practices, good microbiological practices and procedures, and secure transport of valuable biological materials. Following the workshop, HSP and IBA will help the participant institutions conduct self-audits and identify and respond to gaps identified during the auditing process. Future RRML programming in Indonesia will include mobile laboratory audits and facility upgrades as well as engaging the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other relevant stakeholders to review and revise MoH requirements for RMMLs biosecurity and biosafety and standardize them across the country. HSP is looking forward to collaborating with IBA for workshops in the future after a successful and important virtual training.