Anthony Louis Gomes has over 23 years of experience working with WHO and other organizations to strengthen health laboratories and blood services in developing countries. He has extensive experience developing strategies, policies, guidelines and training programs. Some of his roles included providing technical assistance to develop national blood policies and laboratory networks in Papua New Guinea and Bangladesh. He also established quality management systems and tuberculosis diagnostic laboratories in Afghanistan.

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Anthony Louis Gomes
36 Kent Street
Regents Park, NSW 2143
Mobile : +61451 458 700
Emails : algomes@bigpond.com
anthony_louis_gomes@hotmail.com
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Career Overview
A dedicated professional with demonstrated capacity in advisory role, proven record in planning and
development of national health laboratory and blood transfusion service, including development of
strategies, policies, guidelines, standards and human resource. Highly motivated and results focused
individual with 23 years of work experience with World Health Organization in the area of Health
Laboratory Technology and Blood Safety in developing countries including 2 years experience with
international NGO and 13 years of in-country experience in native country Bangladesh.
Professional Experience with World Health Organization
World Health Organization
Papua New Guinea
Position – Short Term Consultant Period – 28 April – 11 May 2016
Duties:
Provided technical assistance to the National Blood Transfusion Service and finalized the “Clinical
Guidelines on the Rational Use of Blood and Blood Products in Papua New Guinea”.
Position – Short Term Consultant Period – September 2013 – November 2013
Duties:
Provided technical assistance to the National Department of Health and National Blood Transfusion
Service of Papua New Guinea. During the consultancy period, finalized the National Blood Policy,
developed 5 year Strategic Plan including Quality Standards and Quality Management Checklist for
National Blood Transfusion Service. Conducted Training of Trainers (TOT) on advocacy, recruitment
and retention of voluntary non-remunerated blood donors (VNRBD).
Position – Health Laboratory Specialist Period – September 2000 – January 2013
Duties:
 Provided technical support to the National Department of Health in planning and developing national
laboratory and blood transfusion services that include development of strategies, policies,
implementation, monitoring and preparation of project proposals etc.
 Supported Central Public Health Laboratory in capacity building and developed laboratory network
at provincial and peripheral levels to support communicable diseases, especially STI/HIV/AIDS
Tuberculosis and Malaria. Led and developed HIV testing algorithm based on two thermo-stable
rapid tests that empowered all laboratories and Voluntary Counselling and Testing centres to confirm
HIV status of the clients in less than an hour.
 Supported Human Resource Development for both – laboratory and blood service. Developed
guidelines, standards, manuals/SOPs, training programmes and conducted various refresher training
courses including bio-safety.
 Supported the National Blood Service in establishing nationally coordinated blood transfusion
service based on voluntary non-remunerated blood donor programme and quality assured laboratory
screening of donated blood for Transfusion Transmittable Infections (TTIs) to improve access to safe

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blood and blood products. Supported development of advocacy materials to promote 100% voluntary
blood donations. Conducted Training of Trainers on recruitment and retention of voluntary non-
remunerated blood donors including laboratory staff training on quality assured screening of blood
for TTI markers.
 Introduced the concept of Quality Management System and developed strategy for implementation
of Quality Assurance Programme for laboratory and blood transfusion service including supervision
and monitoring at all levels. Provided guidance on bio safety, safe management and disposal of
medical (laboratory) wastes.
World Health Organization
Afghanistan
Position – Technical Officer (Laboratory) Period – September 1993 – September 1996
Duties:
Provided technical support to the Ministry of Public Health to strengthen health laboratory and blood
transfusion services through organization, planning, staff training and regular supervision. Updated lab
manuals and training materials incorporating IQC and QA procedures; conducted regular refresher
training for laboratory and blood bank staffs including single disease oriented microscopists to convert
them into multi-disciplinary lab technicians. Supported establishment and rehabilitation of district
laboratories especially to support Primary Health Care. Introduced screening of blood donors for HIV,
Syphilis and Hepatitis B based on ELISA techniques. Supported continuity of lab and blood services
through proper selection and procurement of a sustainable line of laboratory/blood bank supplies. Due
to war related emergencies, actively assisted the WHO Country Office in procurement and distribution
of emergency medical supplies including other managerial tasks.
World Health Organization/UNV
Afghanistan
Positions – Senior Laboratory Technician Period – September 1991 – August 1993
Period - January 1988 – January 1990
Duties:
Provided technical support to the Ministry of Public Health to strengthen laboratory and blood
transfusion services. Supported rehabilitation of non-functional laboratories including TB, Malaria,
Leishmania microscopy and blood transfusion centres. Provided guidance and supervision to the
National Institute of Medical Laboratories. Developed lab manuals/methods including training
materials incorporating IQC and QA procedures and conducted essential training programmes for lab
technicians, in-service trainees and single disease oriented microscopists from malaria/Leishmania and
TB centres to convert them into multipurpose lab technicians and integrate health laboratory component
with vertical programmes to support the Primary Health Care. Due to war related emergencies, actively
assisted the WHO Country Office in procurement and distribution of emergency medical supplies
including other managerial tasks.
World Health Organization/UNV
Mogadiscio, Somalia
Position – Laboratory Technician Period – May 1982 – May 1986
Duties:
Provided technical assistance and supported operations of the Central Public Health Laboratory under
Ministry of Health. Supported daily supervision and guidance to the laboratory staffs with particular
responsibility for modernization of biochemistry department. Developed lab manuals incorporating
IQC; prepared training materials and trained laboratory technicians, job trainees and lab students on
medical laboratory technology including core group of trainers through in-service training and standard
refresher courses. Strengthened existing laboratories and established new health laboratories in different
health settings to support Primary Health Care across the country. Provided onsite supervision to the
provincial and district laboratories.

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Professional Experience with other organizations
Medicins Sans Frontieres, P.O. Box 333
700000 Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Position – Technical Officer (Laboratory) Period – September 1998 – August 2000
Duties:
Provided technical support to the health ministries of two countries – Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in planning
and organization of TB diagnostic laboratories to support the implementation of DOTS strategy in the Aral Sea
Area. Conducted needs assessment of TB diagnostic laboratories and addressed human resource and training
needs, supply requirement and establishment of new laboratories. Established a Regional TB Laboratory Training
Center in Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan. Prepared laboratory manual for TB diagnosis incorporating IQC
and QA procedures. Trained all TB diagnostic laboratory staffs and lab doctors on quality assured sputum smear
microscopy including implementation of Quality Assurance Programme for TB labs. Developed laboratory
network, referral system and supported Multi Drug Resistance (MDR) tuberculosis study.
American Embassy Medical Unit
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Position – Medical Laboratory Technician Period – September 1990 – August 1991
Duties:
Provided essential laboratory diagnostic services to the Americans and international diplomatic
community in Bangladesh. Performed all routine laboratory diagnostic tests including biochemistry
using automated analysers. Maintained a rigid Internal Quality Control programme and participated in
a third party laboratory External Quality Assessment Scheme. Established food and water testing
facilities for bacteriological contaminations in the lab. Provided emergency blood banking services;
liaised between the medical unit and other local specialized laboratories in different centres of
excellence.
Christian Health Services-Bangladesh
Gazipur, Bangladesh
Position – Laboratory Supervisor Period – April 1990 – August 1990
Duties:
Supervised day to day functions and supported upgrading of the clinical laboratory which was providing
diagnostic service to landless population living in the camps including surrounding villages where
tuberculosis was a major health problem. Updated laboratory methods and manuals incorporating IQC
and conducted hands-on training for the laboratory staffs especially in the areas of TB diagnosis,
parasitological evaluation of slides through microscopy including routine haematological and basic
bacteriological tests. Advised authorities on selection of appropriate lab supplies for further up-grading
of the laboratory.
UN International Community Association
Kabul, Afghanistan
Position – Staff House Supervisor Period – February 1987 – October 1987
Duties:
This was a management position related to community service.
International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease
Research Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Positions – Research Officer Period – October 1986 – December 1986
- Senior Laboratory Technician Period - January 1981 – May 1982

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Duties:
This was a research laboratory of international standard where I had provided support to Immunology-
Microbiology branch for immunological research on vaccine trial related to immunization against
cholera. I had particularly contributed on the detection and titration of various antibodies like IgA, IgG
and IgM against cholera toxin and LPS, using the immunosorbent techniques ELISA (Enzyme Linked
immunosorbent Assay) on serum and different biological samples. I had performed GM1 ELISA for the
detection of ST and LT toxin produced by organisms related to diarrheal disease including LT toxin
titration with GM1 Ganglioside. Performed detection of Rotavirus through ELISA techniques.
Supervised and guided 5 lab technicians and 2 lab assistants in the branch.
Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital
(Former Holy Family Hospital) Dhaka, Bangladesh
Position – Laboratory Supervisor Period – January 1976 – February 1981
Duties:
Supported planning, organization and supervision of the clinical laboratory department (Microbiology,
Biochemistry, Haematology, Blood Bank, Immunology/Serology, Parasitology, Urinalysis and
histopathology) including management, professional supervision and guidance to all laboratory staffs.
Updated laboratory methods and conducted practical demonstration and training on various laboratory
methods for job trainees and monitored their performance under my direct supervision and care.
Maintained a rigid internal quality control (IQC) programme to ensure accuracy and reliability of lab
results. Guided laboratory staffs to perform routine and special assays on all disciplines including blood
banking. Prepared budget for laboratory operations including selection and procurement of appropriate
supplies and equipment.
Position – Laboratory Technician Period – November 1970 – December 1975
Duties:
Performed laboratory diagnostic tests by rotation in microbiology, biochemistry, haematology,
immunology/serology, parasitology, urinalysis sections including blood banking and donor recruitment.
I was responsible to perform complex special assays including maintenance of a rigid Internal Quality
Control. Preparation of reagents from basic chemicals was a particular responsibility on my daily
performance. Continuous excellent professional performance resulted my promotion to the position of
laboratory supervisor.
Education and Professional Development
Successfully completed the course on Medical Laboratory Technology
Duration of the course: November 1968 – November 1970
Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital
(Former Holy Family Hospital), Dhaka, Bangladesh
Other trainings:
 Attended and successfully completed a training workshop on “Essentials of Leadership Workshop”
provided by DDI and WHO.
 Attended and successfully completed a training workshop on “Work Life Balance Workshop”
provided by DDI and WHO.
Memberships and professional affiliations:
Australian Institute of Medical Scientists - Affiliate member