Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Details for Mechanism ID: 7435
Country/Region: Guyana
Year: 2008
Main Partner: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Main Partner Program: Françcois Xavier Bagnoud Center
Organizational Type: University
Funding Agency: HHS/CDC
Total Funding: $400,000

Funding for Laboratory Infrastructure (HLAB): $400,000

The Grantee will provide laboratory support to HIV care and treatment services in Guyana This support will

include ongoing activities with emphasis on increasing coverage and scope of laboratory services available

to PLWHA, ensuring quality and accuracy of laboratory test results through continuous quality improvement

initiatives and staff training, and ongoing provision of technical assistance, management and operational-

ization of the National Public Health Reference Laboratory. The grantee will manage the CD4 suite at CML,

which will ultimately transition to the NPHRL and will build capacity in CD4 count at targeted regional

hospitals. There will be ongoing staff training on new testing procedures. In addition, the implementation

and monitoring of QA/QC/QI measures will further strengthen the laboratory support services in Guyana.

The grantee will also continue with the external quality proficiency testing assessment to ensure continuity

and sustainability of laboratory services in Guyana and will assist the MOH in training laboratory staff on

technologies necessary for support of the care and treatment program. The grantee will introduce and have

oversight for the implementation of appropriate OI testing and treatment. Additionally, it will collaborate with

the MOH and CDC in developing a long-term strategic plan for transfer of staff and technology to the MOH

to ensure the sustainability of laboratory services in Guyana.