This submission harnesses and synergizes the expertise of three key partners: The African Society of Laboratory Medicine, Association of Public Health Laboratories, and the General and Health Logistics Inc. Ltd under the leadership of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria. The goal is to build sustainable and highly trained human resources through pre- and in-service lab training for high quality lab tests to support HIV prevention, care and treatment programs in Nigeria under the leadership of the government of Nigeria in line with the overarching goal of the USG Partnership Framework on HIV/AIDS, 2010 - 2015 for Nigeria to move towards sustainable and country owned program. The anticipated outcomes include a high quality and integrated national lab training curricula with strengthened Nigerian universities and institutions; a national lab HIV/AIDS and co-infection guideline supported by well-trained laboratorians and equipped training facilities and systems; and an efficient data managing and forecasting process to ensure a smooth transition to the government of Nigeria assisted by strengthened local institutions. This is achieved through 6 aims. 1) Outline HIV/AIDS and co-infection lab training needs for different cadre of lab workers. 2) Develop an integrated and comprehensive national lab training curriculum that integrates the national guidelines. 3) Ensure high quality lab HIV/AIDS and co-infection program through training. 4) Strengthen training in diagnosis and monitoring of HIV/AIDS and TB. 5) Train auxiliary lab support staff in biorespository, supply chain management, and equipment maintenance and repair. 6) Implement a cost effective transition plan that synergizes infrastructure, efforts and data to GoN supported by strengthened local Institutions.

Using the National curriculum, training guidelines and training manual to conduct training on basic HIV diagnosis and monitoring, TB smear microscopy, equipment maintenance and laboratory assessors training. Using the National curriculum, training guidelines and training manual to conduct training to conduct advanced TB culture, enhanced technology for increasing case finding (molecular) and HIV molecular diagnosis- HIV DNA (EID), viral load and genotyping. Strengthen the human capacities of TB zonal reference laboratories for quality services. Develop the capacities of lab quality officers in developing and writing SOPs Conduct workshop/training on QMS, the 12 Quality System Essentials, ISO 15189, adult teaching techniques, and the ability to conduct a laboratory mentorship activity.

Using the National curriculum, training guidelines and training manual to conduct training on basic HIV diagnosis and monitoring, TB smear microscopy, equipment maintenance and laboratory assessors training. Using the National curriculum, training guidelines and training manual to conduct training to conduct advanced TB culture, enhanced technology for increasing case finding (molecular) and HIV molecular diagnosis- HIV DNA (EID), viral load and genotyping. Strengthen the human capacities of TB zonal reference laboratories for quality services. Develop the capacities of lab quality officers in developing and writing SOPs Conduct workshop/training on QMS, the 12 Quality System Essentials, ISO 15189, adult teaching techniques, and the ability to conduct a laboratory mentorship activity. Support the scale up of pre-service curriculum harmonization to 5 more Universities offering medical laboratory sciences. Assessment of the implementation of harmonized pre-service curriculum in 11 universities already implementing. Support faculty members for University Exchange program at local/international accredited institutions. Conduct ToT workshop on research development, grant writing and publishing for faculty members and stakeholders in educational policy making and regulatory professional and certification bodies. Support faculties with supplies to enhance the implementation of the harmonized curriculum.