Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Details for Mechanism ID: 10074
Country/Region: Guyana
Year: 2013
Main Partner: Association of Public Health Laboratories
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: NGO
Funding Agency: HHS/CDC
Total Funding: $50,000

The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) has been involved in technical assistance to the Guyana MOH and the National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) for the development of the national public health laboratory system through a unique twinning partnership with the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH). APHL will continue to manage this partnership and provide other technical assistance to the MOH and NPHRL, as requested and in keeping with the 5-year national laboratory strategic plan for Guyana. APHL will also explore the feasibility of installation and implementation of a laboratory information system for the reference laboratory network systems to support ART program implementation in the country. Under the twinning partnership, APHL and NCSLPH will continue to provide mentorship and technical assistance in the areas of quality management systems and biosafety. In addition, assistance will be provided in building capacity for the NPHRL to perform rapid high-complexity laboratory methods that will help to identify HIV-related illnesses faster. APHL will continue to also provide travel for key NPHRL staff to attend trainings and workshops that will aid in the performance of their job duties. The goal of this award is to further solidify the relationship between the NPHRL and NCSLPH as a long-term partnership between public health institutions. Another goal is to develop the technical capabilities of the NPHRL by providing the aforementioned technical assistance.

Funding for Laboratory Infrastructure (HLAB): $50,000

The Association of Public Health Laboratores (APHL) will continue to manage this partnership and provide other technical assistance to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL), as requested. APHL will continue to provide technical assistance the implementation of the 5-year national laboratory strategic plan for Guyana. APHL will also explore the feasibility of installation and implementation of a laboratory information system for the reference laboratory network systems to support ART program implementation in the country. Under the twinning partnership, APHL and North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) will continue to provide mentorship and technical assistance in the areas of quality management systems and biosafety. In addition, assistance will be provided in building capacity for the NPHRL to perform rapid high-complexity laboratory methods that will help to identify HIV-related illnesses faster. APHL will continue to also provide travel for key NPHRL staff to attend trainings and workshops that will aid in the performance of their job duties. As a continuation from FY11, APHL will perform the following activities: 1. Provide continued mentorship to the NPHRL by holding routine conference calls (frequency to be determined) between NPHRL and NCSLPH staff to discuss relevant issues pertaining to daily operations of the laboratory. facilitate a mechanism by which relevant staff of NCSLPH review and provide feedback on NPHRL policy and process and procedure documents, particularly those pertaining to quality systems and biosafety. 2. Facilitate travel and participation in international trainings or workshops on technical aspects of testing and quality systems for NPHRL key staff.3. Continue process of development of 5-year Strategic Plan for the NPHRL using the National Strategic Plan for Medical Laboratories 2008-2012 as overarching frame of reference. In FY12, APHL will also provide an assessment of the NPHRL for the installation and implementation of a laboratory information system (paper or electronic) so that laboratory tests can be easily tracked and recorded