Arab Federation of Clinical Biology (AFCB)

The Arab Federation of Clinical Biology (AFCB) was established in 1974 in Egypt. The AFCB is managed by its Executive Board (EB) that is elected periodically every three years. Each member society in the AFCB is represented by one delegate in the EB. In its first meeting the EB elects its president, Vice-president, Treasurer, General Secretary, and chairs of its needed committees according to its bylaws. The past AFCB president also is a member of the EB. AFCB is a federation of associations, syndicates and bodies representing specialists in the field of laboratory medicine and health, in scientific and educational institutions and in medical laboratories for diagnosis and research in both private and public sectors, within the Arab world.

The twelve countries that currently form the AFCB are:
Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen.

Among the aims of the Federation are to: tighten relationships between all those who work in the field of Clinical Laboratory all over the Arab world including:

1. sharing information, expertise and scientific achievements;
2. organising seminars and training in clinical biology and laboratory medicine;
3. publishing scientific journals and periodicals specializing in clinical and laboratory medicine;
4. organising training and educational sessions;
5. participating in the creation of national bodies and associations within the Arab countries that do not have such organizations in respect to their local legislation;
6. giving support and advice to national bodies and associations within the Arab countries;
7. providing consultation and expertise as requested  to scientific and production institutions in the Arab world
8. organise scientific congresses, participate at both regional and national congresses in the Arab world, provide the organizing countries with all the scientific support needed;
9. co-ordinate with the Council of Arab Ministers of Health on clinical laboratory scientific matters;
10. implement International Units;
11. provide support to IVD industry in the Arab world;
12. support Quality Management Programmes in Health Laboratories.

The AFCB has organized 20 congresses since 1974 in: Egypt (1974, 1980, 1986 and 1988), Syria (1979, 1994 and 2006), Tunisia (1991, 2004 and 2017), Jordan (1997), Morocco (2000, 2012, 2018 and 2022), Lebanon (2009, 2018 and 2022), Palestine (2018) and  Sudan (2015).

Our Vision:
To work on the development of the profession and the science of laboratory medicine in the Arabic world.

Our Mission:

1. To be the legitimate voice for the profession of laboratory medicine in the Arabic world.
2. To be lead in the Arab and international community with regard to the profession of laboratory medicine
3. To serve  members with the maximum potential.
4. To maintain high professional standards in the practice of medical laboratory sciences in the Arabic world.

Our Objectives:

1. Strengthening the link between workers in the field of clinical laboratory science in the Arab world, and exchange of experiences and scientific information.
2. Organization of periodic scientific conferences in the field of clinical laboratory science and scientific symposia, seminars, exchange briefing visits, and contribute to the Arab national conferences, and provide adequate scientific support.
3. Issuing scientific documents and specialized publications.
4. Contribute in the formation of national bodies and associations in the Arab countries that do not have such bodies, where such formations, according to the laws and regulations in force in those countries, and support them.
5. Provide advice and expertise to the Arab production companies in the field of clinical laboratory reagents and equipments.
6. Support the programs of quality assurance in laboratory in the Arab world and exchange of information and provision of scientific advice, and study the possibility of the use of international units.
7. Coordination with the Council of Arab Ministers of Health in matters of clinical laboratory science.
8. Work on the harmonization of legislation and laws governing the work of the laboratory in different countries and make an agreement on a common definition of certificates of competence and work with the Arab Health Ministers for approval.
9. Cooperation and coordination with the World Health Organization in the curricula of rehabilitation, training and quality assurance programs.
10. Proof of the presence in international and regional organizations concerned with the clinical laboratory sciences.

Membership:
Arab Federation of Clinical Biology accepts membership of organizations, associations, trade unions and professional associations that accept the AFCB Statute, and works to achieve its objectives and submit a request for enrollment that is not inconsistent with its basic system of the AFCB.

AFCB President

Dr. Christian Haddad
Notre Dame des Secours Hospital
USEK University
Lebanon
Mobile: +96171914888
E-mail: christianhnds@hotmail.com
Website: under construction