About PEARL
Who We Are
The Partnership for Education and Research Laboratory (PEARL) is a pioneering initiative designed to blend cutting-edge research and specialized training within a rural community setting. Our mission is to address the pressing health needs of communities through a synergistic approach. We pride ourselves on our community-oriented service learning, world-class training programs, and dedicated faculty committed to educating learners at all levels. Our robust partnerships with local government and health services further bolster our impact.
Our Goal
Our primary goal is to elevate the quality and reach of healthcare services in Bungoma County. We aim to empower clinicians with enhanced diagnostic capabilities, thereby improving the overall standard of care delivered within local health facilities.
Our Training Methodology
- On-the-Job Expert Training: Our PEARL technicians work closely with their counterparts in rural health facilities, imparting best practices and essential techniques such as peripheral blood film examination and blood cell counting. This hands-on approach ensures that the training is practical and immediately applicable. The lab serves as a resource that provides an opportunity for lab techs to come and learn and explore the specimen repository.
- On-Site Intensive Workshops: We host one-week residential programs in clinical microscopy at PEARL, inviting laboratory technicians from across the region. These workshops are designed to provide intensive, focused training in a collaborative environment.
- Virtual Seminars and Interactive Clinics: Monthly online workshops connect participants with experts who teach advanced techniques. These sessions also provide a platform for sharing complex case studies from participants' facilities. Utilizing smartphone technology, participants can share microscope images in real-time, fostering a dynamic and interactive learning experience.
- Online Short Course (M-Elimu Hub): For those seeking self-paced learning, PEARL offers an online short course (Part 1) through the m-Elimu site. Enrolled trainees can complete the course at their own pace, gaining theoretical knowledge and skills. Upon completion of the online course, participants are invited to enroll in Part 2 of the course, which involves a 2-3 day hands-on laboratory practice session to gain necessary skills on Microscopy of various body fluids. During these practical sessions, students have the unique opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors, benefiting from personalized guidance and scaffolding, practical learning through review of slides in our specimen bank, active participation in specimen handling, processing, examination and reporting. Participants are subjected to post module assessment for both the online and practical courses.
Our Training Capacity
- Experienced Faculty and Mentors: Our seasoned faculty and mentors provide unwavering support, guiding learners through every step of their training.
- State-of-the-Art Equipment: Our laboratory is equipped with a multi-headed microscope, high quality ideal for group microscopy learning, and a full suite of laboratory reagents to ensure seamless training experiences.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Our meticulously crafted microscopy curriculum, developed by experts, addresses current training gaps in rural laboratory facilities.
- Extensive Specimen Repository: We maintain a diverse collection of malaria-positive slides (various species), peripheral blood films showcasing a range of blood disorders, and both fresh and stained stool samples containing medically significant parasites. Additionally, we provide high-quality images and videos for pathogen identification.
- Uninterrupted Power Supply: Our lab is equipped with a full power backup system to ensure zero interruptions during training, even in the event of power outages.
- Recognition as an iECHO Hub Site: As an iECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes) hub site for laboratory capacity building, we are part of a global network dedicated to improving health outcomes through collaborative education and training.