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Soil and Plant Analytical Laboratory Network of Africa (SPALNA): purchasing, servicing and maintenance of scientific equipment in Africa
Abstract/Description
This Soil and Plant Analytical Laboratory Network of Africa (SPALNA) has been involved in training laboratory technologists in Africa on maintenance of science equipment since 1992. We have observed a wide diversity of makes and models of scientific equipment in various laboratories. This makes a uniform approach to servicing and maintenance a bit problematic. It is suggested that standardization of analytical procedures and equipment be adopted on a regional basis. To minimize difficulties with maintenance, local development and fabrication of scientific equipment should be encouraged. Regional equipment centers should be established and staffed with trained maintenance personnel. Depuis lgg2. le spALNA (Reseau des laboratoires cl'analyse des plantes et des sols en Afriqtre) apporteson collcours pour lbrr.ner les techniciens de laboratoire en Afiique d l'entretien et d la uainteuance dcsequipernents scientitiqucs. Cette activiti lui a perrr.ris de collstatcr rtne grande dir elsitd de ularqttes et der.r.roddlcs d'appareils scientiliqLres aussi bien d'un laboratoirc l\ l'autre qu'd l'interieur d'uu tlr0trlelaboratoire. Co'r.r'ne il semble di11-icile d'aborder c1e taqon unilbrme le problertle de i'entretien et de iar.naintenance, 1a solution proposde est cl'opter pour une normalisatiot.t cles procedures anal-vtiques et deI'equiper.ncnt au niveau rigior.ral'pour attinuer les difllcult6s li6es d la maintenance. il scrair iudicieux cle stimtrler les realisations locales etla tabrication d'equrpement scicntitiqLle sttr place. ll serait bon d'encouragcr la creation de cetltresr6gionaux cle n.raintenatrce dotds de personnei d0ment qualife.