Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Details for Mechanism ID: 13024
Country/Region: Namibia
Year: 2011
Main Partner: American Society for Clinical Pathology
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: Private Contractor
Funding Agency: HHS/CDC
Total Funding: $108,190

COP 2010 Overview Narrative

NEW/REPLACEMENT NARRATIVE WITH SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES The International Laboratory Branch (ILB) consortium partners' main goal is to strengthen laboratory systems through technical assistance to the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP). NIP, in turn, provides quality laboratory services to MOHSS HIV, TB and OIs programs.

To achieve this goal each of the four ILB consortium members provides technical assistance in specific areas. For the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP), those objectives include:

1) Theoretical and hands on training on bio-clinical monitoring assays methods and instrumentations.

2) Support for the development of a national laboratory training resource center.

How the Implementing Mechanism is linked to the Partnership Framework goals and benchmarks over the life of its agreement/award:

Through support for quality bio-clinical monitoring and training, this implementing mechanism is key to the USG commitments related to the PF goal of "scaling up and enhancing the antiretroviral treatment services as well as reducing TB/HIV co-infection" The technical assistance delivered through this IM will specifically aid the GRN and the USG to meet the following PF objectives:

1) Enhance the quality of ART care through quality assured bio-clinical monitoring.

2) Expand coverage of screening for TB/HIV co-infection.

The implementing Mechanism's geographic coverage and target population:

This mechanism is designed to provide national coverage through the NIP network of laboratories. ASCP will work with NIP and other partners to provide training to staff working in all of the NIP laboratories. Quality Management Systems training will target all laboratories. The gap analyses and mentoring assistance will be rolled out in a targeted manner, depending on identified needs.

Key contributions to Health System Strengthening:

The ASCP technical approach is built on the results of continuous situation assessments. These are followed by training on quality management and the development of implementation plans. Emphasis is placed on Train-the-Trainer (TOT) courses, which produce local trainers. These individuals represent a growing core of local expertise to provide on-going supervision, mentoring and additional training. Through this system, ASCP helps build capacity at the systems level and at each facility. This local capacity will sustain the national laboratory system over the long-term and gradually reduce NIP's dependence on external TA.

Implementing Mechanism's cross-cutting programs and key issues:

As noted above, technical assistance from ASCP contributes to a strengthening of local expertise. NIP laboratory staff trained to conduct trainings and supportive supervision represent a strong foundation on which future human resources for health may be built within the public healthcare sector.

The Implementing Mechanism's strategy to become more cost efficient over time:

All ILB consortium partners provide short-term technical trainings or consultancy services. NIP manages the logistics of the trainings and consultancies, and, increasingly, provides trainers from its own staff to conduct follow-up mentoring and monitoring. NIP is also responsible for procuring equipment and reagents for the trainings. These procurements, including stock management and delivery, are done through NIP's local ordering system. As indicated above, the training of trainers as instructors and mentors will, over time, reduce ASCP's role in Namibia. On that note, ASCP's role is already 100% technical assistance. NIP is solely responsible for laboratory service delivery. A USG objective for the next five years is to develop NIP's administrative capacity to allow NIP to contract and fund its own technical relationships, as needed, with IDP consortium members.

Monitoring and evaluation plans for included activities:

All CDC cooperative agreement grantees must submit a detailed work plan with their annual continuation application. This work plan must be based on PEPFAR indicators and aligned with targets set for each country. All IDP consortium members must also submit bi-annual status reports to the IDP program manager in Atlanta. These reports are shared with CDC program managers in Namibia and used to inform any year-on-year changes to the work plan. All trainees are required to develop an individual work plan. These are followed up by NIP and ASCP mentors during supportive visits. Other key indicators include the monitoring of results for quality and progress made toward accreditation by SANAS.

Funding for Laboratory Infrastructure (HLAB): $108,190

Technical assistance from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) to the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) for training in chemistry and hematology.

Continuing Activity

Estimated Budget = $108,190

ADDITIONAL DETAIL:

PEPFAR Namibia will support ASCP through a cooperative agreement managed by the CDC Global AIDS Program International Laboratory Branch (ILB) in Atlanta. Other partners supported through this mechanism include the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). ASM's work is described in the HVTB technical area. CLSI and APHL are described in separate narratives under HLAB.

In COP11, ASCP support for NIP will include training on bio-clinical monitoring assays such as CD4 methods, chemistry and hematology, as well as basic laboratory operations training for district level laboratories. COP11 represents a transition year for the centrally-managed ILB TA mechanism. Administratively, one focus of TA visits in COP11 will be to prepare NIP to source its own TA from ASCP and other TA providers starting in COP12.

ASCP experts will provide direct technical assistance and supportive supervision to NIP staff. Additional supervision and mentoring will be provided by laboratory advisors from CDC Namibia. NIP managers and supervisors provide day-to-day management oversight and supervision.

All ILB consortium partners provide short-term technical trainings. NIP manages the logistics of the trainings to be conducted, and, increasingly, provides trainers from its own staff to conduct follow-up mentoring and monitoring. NIP is also responsible for procuring equipment and reagents for the trainings. These procurements, including stock management and delivery, are done through NIP's local ordering system. The use of training of trainers (TOT) methods will, over time, reduce ASCP's role in Namibia. On that note, ASCP's role is already 100% technical assistance. NIP is solely responsible for laboratory service delivery. A USG objective for the next five years is to develop NIP's administrative capacity to allow NIP to contract and fund its own technical relationships, as needed, with IDP consortium members.

Cross Cutting Budget Categories and Known Amounts Total: $50,000
Human Resources for Health $50,000