Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Details for Mechanism ID: 13144
Country/Region: Eswatini
Year: 2012
Main Partner: University Research Corporation, LLC
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: Private Contractor
Funding Agency: HHS/CDC
Total Funding: $1,162,600

URC's strategy for strengthening laboratory services builds on the following principals: ensuring strongcountry ownership; integrating project activities within Swaziland's health systems to ensure long-termprogram sustainability; capacity building through training/mentoring lab staff in quality assurance/qualitymanagement on both general lab-related and TB diagnostic services; linking project activities with otherPEPFAR and donor funded initiatives to increase returns on USG investments in the country; and workingwith GKOS and other partners to ensure that laboratory services are strengthened as an importantcomponent to TB/HIV services. The two URC/USG projects share costs of offices, procurement andfinancial management systems making the program to be cost efficient. URC will collaborate with otherPEPFAR partners to assist in the implementation of a comprehensive Laboratory Information Systems.URC also provides direct TA and support to Laboratory organizational leadership in implementation of the5 year laboratory strategic development plan (2008-2013) and policy, and enhance capacity developmentfor laboratory supervisors. Quarterly reviews meetings facilitate data reviews and quality improvement.Support is also given to attend regional and international trainings. In addition, URC will assist with theimplementation of external quality assurance (proficiency testing) for all test parameters including HIVRapid Testing and TB microscopy countrywide. The final stage of their intervention will be performing ofinternal audits to determine readiness for accreditation, followed by facilitation of a formal accreditationprocess. Experience shows that quality services and compliance to standards only occurs when adequatesupport and mentoring is in place.

Funding for Care: TB/HIV (HVTB): $380,000

The project will support TB/HIV laboratory related activities that aim at: standardizing TB/HIV bestlaboratory practices and provide associated training; providing for uniform quality assurance measuresamong laboratories; working with NCLS to standardize equipment (introduce new technologies andequipment), commodities, and supportive maintenance training; and supporting capacity building for aunified approach to procurement and distribution of laboratory commodities. The project will strive toensure an adequate number of clinical laboratories perform quality testing for TB/HIV/AIDS diagnosticsand monitoring tests for care and treatment services. The project will also assist to strengthen referraltransport systems for specimens and implement practical and sustainable quality management systemsby conducting laboratory management training programs and assisting in the adoption of the WHOLaboratory accreditation scheme (utilizing a stepwise approach for reference and peripherallaboratories).Strategic Area Budget Code Planned Amount

Funding for Laboratory Infrastructure (HLAB): $782,600

The lab project will work together with the NCLS to develop and strengthen laboratory systems andfacilities to support TB/HIV/AIDS-related activities including: strengthening of laboratory leadership andmanagement; purchase of equipment and commodities; strengthening of laboratory supply andequipment management systems; promotion of quality management systems, laboratory monitoring andevaluation, and laboratory information systems; and provision of staff training and other technicalassistance. The project will continue to support SLMTA (strengthening laboratory management towardsaccreditation) trainings. The project will also support 8 additional laboratory sites to start the process ofaccreditation. These are Phocweni, Pigg's Peak, RFM, Good Shepherd, Hlatikhulu, Siphofaneni, Baylorand National TB hospital. In addition the project will continue working with NRL towards attainingaccreditation stars to the 8 laboratories which are namely HIV Molecular/EID Referral Lab, Clinicalchemistry Lab, Hematology lab, Microbiology lab, Flowcytometry Lab, Cytology/Histology Lab,Immunochemistry referral lab, TB Reference Lab.

Subpartners Total: $0
National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS: NA
National Health Laboratory Services - South Africa: NA
South African Medical Research Council: NA
Key Issues Identified in Mechanism
enumerations.Impact/End-of-Program Evaluation
Increasing gender equity in HIV/AIDS activities and services
enumerations.Malaria (PMI)
Child Survival Activities
Military Populations
Mobile Populations
Safe Motherhood
Tuberculosis
Workplace Programs