Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2011 2012 2013 2014

Details for Mechanism ID: 13270
Country/Region: Ghana
Year: 2012
Main Partner: Global Health Systems Solutions Inc.
Main Partner Program: Ghana
Organizational Type: NGO
Funding Agency: HHS/CDC
Total Funding: $400,000

The Ghana Health Service (GHS), is responsible for hospital laboratories in ten regional and 170 district hospitals as well as the public health laboratory system, comprised of one National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) and three zonal public health laboratories.

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has made it mandatory for laboratories to obtain accreditation/certification or risk losing the privileges provided by NHIS. Thus, MOH has shown strong commitment to laboratory accreditation.

Though these services exist, provision of quality laboratory services and conduct of reliable diagnostic testing are still challenges in Ghana. Quality management systems (QMS) in pre-analytical, analytical and post analytical process for laboratories have not been addressed as a whole. In order to leverage and coordinate donor laboratory efforts, USG support will be targeted to reinforce the basic scale-up assistance coming from the Global Fund and from PMI. USG support will build national capacity for QMS, trainings and the monitoring of laboratory quality using the tools of external quality assessment (EQA), including Proficiency Testing (PT) programs.

CDC Ghana through its implementing partners will support cost-effective, quality laboratory practices to promote reliable and accurate results, thus contributing to effective patient care. This will in turn build a positive attitude by patients towards testing. It will work closely with the GOG to support zonal and regional laboratories identified by GHS in preparation for the accreditation process. This include evaluating, developing, improving, and maintaining the laboratories QMS (managerial and technical) in compliance with WHO requirements for accreditation. This will be a two to three year process.

Funding for Laboratory Infrastructure (HLAB): $400,000

Global Health Systems Solutions (GHSS) will continue to receive funds to support the execution of Quality Management Systems (QMS) leading to accreditation in labs identified by the Ghana Health Service (GHS).GHSS will continue to support the customization of the Quality System Essentials (QSEs) activities for each of the selected laboratories. GHSS will continue to mentor lab managers and support the execution of the QSEs as the main focal areas. Labs will continue to focus on QSEs identified by initial gap assessment and address them in a stepwise manner. The work plan will be carried out in phases: 1) execution of milestones through mentoring program 2) continuing self-assessment of progress by the lab management 3) quality improvement activities and on-going assistance based on needs. GHSS will continue to support training of lab managers to improve the quality of lab management within the network and provide mentorship.As part of the QMS, External Quality Assurance (EQA) is a key component that includes on-site supervision and Proficiency Testing (PT) programs. GHSS will work closely with the GHS to reinforce existing quality assurance (QA) programs and to supervise the transfer of EQA programs at the regional level and ensure national coverage.GHSS will support 100 GHS labs/testing sites to enroll in a PT for HIV rapid testing, organize training workshops on QA for the Dried Tube Specimen technology, printing and distribution of standardized logbooks for use at all HIV testing sites. It will continue to support the execution of an EQA program for chemistry and hematology and enroll more facilities and labs in the program. GHSS will continue to support the distribution of PT panels, collection of results, and supervisory activities.