Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2010 2013

Details for Mechanism ID: 12644
Country/Region: Caribbean Region
Year: 2010
Main Partner: Not Available
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: NGO
Funding Agency: HHS/CDC
Total Funding: $0

The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to assist the Government of Barbados in the construction of a Regional Reference Laboratory.

This implementing mechanism is in direct support of the USG Caribbean Partnership Framework Laboratory System Goal 3, Objective 3.1:Develop functional regional reference laboratory network , Sub- Objective 3.1.2: Regional Reference Laboratory Infrastructure. There is a need for extensive improvement in laboratory infrastructure within the Caribbean as the region embraces the concept of a tiered regional laboratory network. Barbados is well-positioned to provide regional referral support and training to the OECS countries within a tiered laboratory network, but the islands enormous laboratory potential is limited by lack of adequate space and therefore there is a critical need to upgrade infrastructure. Construction of a Regional Reference Laboratory facility in Barbados will ensure adequate and appropriate space to ensure accurate, timely and uninterrupted testing and reporting of results across seven countries

This constructed facility will be an integrated structure and will therefore support holistic HIV/AIDS Point-Of-Care diagnosis and treatment services. The second and third floors of this building will have designated HIV counseling and testing, clinical diagnosis and training units. HIV/AIDS prevention care and treatment services will be located on the ground floor. As a regional referral lab, this facility will create conducive laboratory working spaces, ensure uninterrupted testing platforms and follow through. The Barbados Regional Reference Laboratory is a critical component of establishing a functional regional tiered laboratory referral and back-up system. Within this system, current partner efforts will be leveraged to create a web of coordinated long-term sustainable laboratories for the entire region.

Funding for Laboratory Infrastructure (HLAB): $0

Construction of the building will be done with funds through HHS/CDC, supervised by CDC Facility Managers through a TBD qualified vendor. This will be a 4500 square feet building (3 floors of 1500 square feet each) that will house the proposed regional reference laboratory on the 2nd and 3rd floors and the National Care and Treatment Centre on the ground floor. It is envisioned to be a BSC-Level 2 facility with possibilities for upgrade to level BSL-Level 3, housing the following departments: Hematology, Serology, Molecular Biology, TB, Bacteriology, Chemical Pathology, and Quality Assurance. It is anticipated that the TBD partner will work with the HHS/CDC Facility Managers and the MOH of Barbados to design and construct this facility according to defined international guidelines and in-country needs.