Table 5 Collated responses for challenges and improvements to ACILT’s biosafety course (2008–2014)

Challenges and Barriers

1. Funding: (n=40)

    a. No budget for safety programs

    b. Difficulty accessing funds

    c. Limited funding

    d. Austerity measures

2. Lack of Compliance or Support from Management: (n = 17)

    a. Includes lack of support from government

    b. Convincing management to allocate funds for biosafety

    c. Low priority for management

    d. Bureaucratic issues

    e. Management does not make essential resources available to all employees

3. Country-specific delays: (n = 2)

   a. Delays in obtaining the permit by **DOH:

   b. There is no specific institutional committee to deal with the safety programs:

Suggested improvements

1. Extend the duration of and add refresher courses (n = 15)

2. More practical training: (n = 17)

  a. Have on-job training

  b. Hands-on practice

3. Course Design/Structure: (n = 19)

  a. Include scenarios from resource-limited countries

  b. Train the trainers (TOTs)

  c. Upgrading with changing times