Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2010 2011 2012

Details for Mechanism ID: 10105
Country/Region: Nigeria
Year: 2010
Main Partner: Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: NGO
Funding Agency: HHS/CDC
Total Funding: $350,000

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) began supporting the Ministry of Health - Nigeria, CDC Nigeria and the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) in the implementation of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and Accreditation Preparedness during COP 08, continuing in COP 09.

Goal: To expand and strengthen the National Laboratory Quality System, including a comprehensive, standardized document system; expanded participation in Quality Assurance programs; an effective auditing and monitoring program; and working toward building the capacity of the regulatory body to understand and articulate quality management systems and mentor them through the process of implementing a national accreditation scheme for all of the laboratory tiers.

Objectives: A. Implement Quality Management Systems (QMS) and internationally recognized laboratory standards in national and regional laboratories. B. Progressively raise laboratory assessment scores through the WHO-AFRO accreditation scheme and/or acheive accreditation by alternative international standards accreditation. C. Work with the MLSCN to continue development of the laboratory operational and quality management personnel to ensure: * Sustainability of QMS and the achieved laboratory accreditation status. * Continued expansion of QMS and accreditation for all tiers.

CLSI's standards-driven approach, together with the implementation of QMS, bridges the gap between pre-service training and in-field application. This foundation prepares laboratory personnel to successfully implement and sustain the technical assistance of lab coalition partners across all lab disciplines.

The geographic coverage is national and is acheived by developing Master Trainers to cascade expertise through all laboratory tiers. This improves the quality of national and regional laboratories and increases capacity to augment service quality at all laboratory levels.

CLSI's program strategy targets the training of Master Trainers and the development of Laboratory Operations and Quality Management staff on the application of QMS. Effective implementation of QMS is critical to continued accreditation preparedness and improved quality of service. Building capacity of local laboratory personnel ensures the continuation of accreditation activities allowing a timely exit of the technical assisstance providers. Funding levels directly determine the number of training sessions and mentorships CLSI can conduct. A more intensive program, expanding the number of laboratory interventions, increases the rate of accreditation success.

Collaboration between Lab Coalition partners and MLSCN on training and mentorships is a cost effective way to help ensure the broadest application of technical assistance to rapidly acheive program goals.

Monitoring and evaluation is accomplished through laboratory assessments. * Development of lab quality indicators and the use of internal focused audits to monitor effectiveness of CQI initiatives. * Scheduled external assessments to measure progress towards accreditation based on criteria of selected accreditation agencies (e.g. WHO-AFRO, CAP, JCI, SANAS).

Funding for Laboratory Infrastructure (HLAB): $350,000

CLSI will work closely with CDC Nigeria, MOH Nigeria and the MLSCN to provide technical experts to conduct activities that are described in the overview narrative for lab strengthening, including:

*QMS workshop activities (e.g. QA, internal and external audit, CQI). *Mentorship activities with laboratories and MLSCN. *Gap analysis and accreditation preparedness activities geared toward WHO-AFRO teired accreditation.

The suggested budget for the full scope of work is estimated for four participating laboratories which will be degignated by CDC Nigeria, MOH Nigeria and the MLSCN. This funding level assumes CLSI administrative costs, indirect cost, and travel-related costs for CLSI staff and volunteer consultants. In- country meeting expenses are not included. CLSI staff works to coordinate program travel within Africa, ensuring judicious use of program funds.

Cross Cutting Budget Categories and Known Amounts Total: $350,000
Human Resources for Health $350,000