**3.3 Provision of centralised rapid diagnostic test centres for more efficient diagnosis**

To ascertain some degree of quality assurance and uniformity of results there is need to develop centralised RDT centres. These centres serve for purchase, transport, storage of RDTs kits as well as provide training for personnel that administer the tests at community level. It could serve as a reference laboratory since there are more highly skilled personnel and results of tests could be ascertained. Church et al (2003), describe such a centre which has supported and facilitated the RDT programme. Bastiaens et al (2011) have described results of researches carried on at such centres which showed improved diagnosis of malaria when government policy changed to implementation of testing before treatment in malaria. However, Derua et al (2011), describe in their study the perception of the users and health service providers which were dissimilar. Whereas the clinicians and patients were satisfied with the overall performance of the labs, the laboratory personnel expressed dissatisfaction over working conditions and some details of laboratory procedures. This signal is worth more investigation across regional centres so that the efforts gained would not be undermined. There is also noted that there is need to integrate these services into existing healthcare services to ensure sustainability in the long run.
