title: [Characterization of the national malaria diagnostic network, Colombia, 2006-2010].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The implementation and development of activities of the quality assurance system of malaria diagnosis, allows the adequate operation of the national diagnostic network, needed to strengthen prevention and control actions of this important public health problem.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the malaria diagnosis network in Colombia between 2006 and 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was made by reviewing the annual reports of malaria diagnosis network activities that were sent by the Public Health Laboratories (PHL) between 2006 and 2010. The study included analysis of diagnostic coverage in population at risk and an evaluation of activities and training to the people responsible for malaria diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Malaria diagnostic coverage has increased in Colombia, from 53% of municipalities covered in 2006 to 80% in 2010. The number of places that perform diagnosis increased by 31% with a significant increase, for the same period, of the number of microscopists (56%) and laboratories (30%), to 1,195 and 1,780 respectively, registered in 2010. During the period of study, the percentage of PHL that carried out at least 3 of the activities of the quality assurance system for the diagnostic network at local level was 67%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is necessary to continue strengthening the malaria diagnosis network to provide timely and adequate diagnosis in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality by malaria.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Parasitología, Subdirección Red Nacional de Laboratorios, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, D.C, Colombia.
authors.forename: Olga Lucía
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Ospina
authors.forename: Liliana Jazmín
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Cortés
authors.forename: Zulma Milena
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Cucunubá
authors.forename: Nohora Marcela
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Mendoza
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chaparro
mesh_terms: D003105:Colombia; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors