The NHLS aims to:- 1. Strengthen the CDC strategic leadership and scarce skills with the expansion of training programs such as Africas Center for International Laboratory Training (ACILT), Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) and establishment the NHLS Learning Academy. 2. Develop strategies to compliment the roll out of the new National Health Insurance:- Introduction of the Tiered laboratory service delivery model and determine appropriate costing models to ensure sustainability. 3. Continuous improvement and strengthening of laboratory service quality and monitoring and evaluation programs. 4. Improvement of the physical infrastructure including laboratory equipment and IT infrastructure:- Increase the coverage of GeneXpert to cover all NHLS laboratories. Information and communications technology infrastructure will be strengthened to facilitate monitoring and evaluation 5. Accelerate implementation of the NSP. 6. Health systems strengthening: Identify and implement changes in policy and practice within South Africa's health system that improve the functions of the health system and lead to better health for all. Since the inception of this cooperative agreement, NHLS has procured 2 vehicle: 1- training bus and 2- bus to transport FELTP residents to outbreak sites.

Global Fund / Programmatic Engagement Questions

1. Is the Prime Partner of this mechanism also a Global Fund principal or sub-recipient, and/or does this mechanism support Global Fund grant implementation? Yes2. Is this partner also a Global Fund principal or sub-recipient? Sub Recipient3. What activities does this partner undertake to support global fund implementation or governance?

Budget Code Recipient(s) of Support Approximate Budget Brief Description of ActivitiesHVTB 6000000 To increase HIV and TB finding and linkages to care at the community level thru HCT

1. Strengthening of strategic leadership and scarce skills:- Expansion of training programs such as ACILT, FELTP, and establish the NHLS learning academy, to consolidate training programs. i) Improve and expand laboratory technician training, in the laboratory and non-laboratory settings. ii) Management and leadership programs. iii) Scarce skills to be developed are health economists, biostatisticians and specialist in various pathology disciplines. iv) Establish training facilities across the country and centrally. 2. Developing strategies to compliment the role out of the National Health Insurance:-i) Introduction of the Tiered laboratory service delivery model. ii) Determine appropriate costing models to ensure sustainability. 3. Continuous improvement and strenghtening of laboratory test results of priority disease indicators. i) Improve turn around times for laboratory test results of priority disease indicators. ii) Develop an EQA assessment program to support the GeneXpert roll out and ensure quality testing for patients and accurate costing. iii) Improve the performance of TB diagnostic microscopy, by improving automated systems, and algorithms for testing to verify test result accuracy.iv) Quality management and training of staff, using HIV Rapid testing kits in non-laboratory settings. v) Health technology assessment process to be implemented to evaluate diagnostic medical devices. 4. Improvement of the physical infrastructure including laboratory equipment and IT infrastructure:- i)Increase the coverage of GeneXpert to cover all NHLS laboratories.