CDC is developing a central mechanism to provide technical assistance to Ministries of Health in Blood Safety to assist in meeting PEPFAR blood safety goals. Ukraine will participate in this mechanism. The goals for the HBML project are to assess the needs and provide the technical assistance required by the MOH to be able to 1) develop policies to allow creation of a nationally coordinated blood transfusion service; 2) develop a national strategy for creation of a low-risk volunteer donor oriented program; 3) establish a QA/QC system to cover all laboratories in the blood donation system; 4) adequately train blood system technical staff at all levels; 5) assess and improve clinical blood utilization; and 6) develop a M&E system. In addition to additional activities identified through the assessment, the TA through this project will include the following activities: In support of a national strategy on voluntary donorship Conduct KAP (knowledge, attitude and practices (behavior)) surveys among general population about motivations and challenges for blood donations Provide technical assistance in IEC (information, education and campaign) development Develop trainings on donor recruitment based on the results of KAP surveys Conduct trainings for donor recruiters (25 participants in each training; total amount of participants 25 people in each oblast .)

To introduce QA/QC system implementation in laboratories of the regional blood services To invite an international expert from an International Reference Laboratory (TBD) to assess laboratories of blood services and to develop strategic plan with NHRL on implementation of QA/QC system into the laboratories of blood services. To collaborate with international reference laboratories (experts) and the Ukrainian National HIV Reference Laboratory (NHRL) on EQAS (External Quality Assessment Schemes) by developing or purchasing panels for proficiency testing on the national level. To provide TA at the national level, including to the NHRL, on selection and purchasing of positive standards to use for internal controls in laboratories within blood services. To collaborate with other HLAB projects in ensuring the conduct of trainings for laboratory staff in blood services on introduction of QA/QC systems in the laboratory.

The Implementing Mechanism will work closely with WHO and with Global Fund implementing partners. Through these activities, the TBD HBML project would contribute to the achievement of goals 2 and 3 of Ukraine's forthcoming Partnership Framework goals: goal 2 (improved quality and cost effectiveness of HIV prevention, care, and treatment services for MARPs) and goal 3 (strengthened national and local ability to achieve Ukraine's National AIDS Program objectives).

CDC is developing a central mechanism to provide technical assistance to Ministries of Health in Blood Safety to assist in meeting PEPFAR blood safety goals. Ukraine will participate in this mechanism. The goals for the HBML project are to assess the needs and provide the technical assistance required by the MOH to be able to 1) develop policies to allow creation of a nationally coordinated blood transfusion service; 2) develop a national strategy for creation of a low-risk volunteer donor oriented program; 3) establish a QA/QC system to cover all laboratories in the blood donation system; 4) adequately train blood system technical staff at all levels; 5) assess and improve clinical blood utilization; and 6) develop a M&E system. In addition to additional activities identified through the assessment, the TA through this project will include the following activities: In support of a national strategy on voluntary donorship Conduct KAP (knowledge, attitude and practices (behavior)) surveys among general population about motivations and challenges for blood donations Provide technical assistance in IEC (information, education and campaign) development Develop trainings on donor recruitment based on the results of KAP surveys Conduct trainings for donor recruiters (25 participants in each training; total amount of participants 25 people in each oblast .)

To introduce QA/QC system implementation in laboratories of the regional blood services To invite an international expert from an International Reference Laboratory (TBD) to assess laboratories of blood services and to develop strategic plan with NHRL on implementation of QA/QC system into the laboratories of blood services. To collaborate with international reference laboratories (experts) and the Ukrainian National HIV Reference Laboratory (NHRL) on EQAS (External Quality Assessment Schemes) by developing or purchasing panels for proficiency testing on the national level. To provide TA at the national level, including to the NHRL, on selection and purchasing of positive standards to use for internal controls in laboratories within blood services. To collaborate with other HLAB projects in ensuring the conduct of trainings for laboratory staff in blood services on introduction of QA/QC systems in the laboratory.

The Implementing Mechanism will work closely with WHO and with Global Fund implementing partners. Through these activities, the TBD HBML project would contribute to the achievement of goals 2 and 3 of Ukraine's forthcoming Partnership Framework goals: goal 2 (improved quality and cost effectiveness of HIV prevention, care, and treatment services for MARPs) and goal 3 (strengthened national and local ability to achieve Ukraine's National AIDS Program objectives).