Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2016

Details for Mechanism ID: 10809
Country/Region: Tanzania
Year: 2012
Main Partner: African Field Epidemiology Network
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: NGO
Funding Agency: HHS/CDC
Total Funding: $185,018

The goal of the project is to strengthen the Laboratory Quality Management Systems and implement laboratory information systems through training of health workers in the areas of laboratory management and policy, laboratory information systems, quality management systems, biosafety, and certification of biological safety cabinets. The aim is to improve laboratory quality management stems through enhanced and expanded external quality assurance for HIV rapid testing, biosafety training, and other laboratory management strengthening activities. By improving laboratory management, African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) is contributing towards PEPFARs fundamental goal of providing integrated HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care as HIV testing will be readily available and of improved quality. AFENET will also contribute to the strengthening of laboratory support for surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, HIV screening, and disease monitoring.

Coverage will be of HIV testing sites in all the regions up to the district level. AFENET is liaising with key personnel that are responsible with laboratory services to implement all of the laboratory strengthening activities. The monitoring and evaluation will largely comprise of the process, outputs, and outcomes of activities. Both internal and external audits will be used. Internally, program reviews will be carried out monthly to assess progress, identify delays, and potential causes and solutions. The external audit will be performed every three months.

Transitioning to a local organization is embedded within the planned activities. All activities are geared towards building capacity within MOHSW so that eventually the Ministry will be able to carry out all activities.

Funding for Laboratory Infrastructure (HLAB): $185,018

AFENET will use COP 2012 funds for five distinct activities.

First, Tanzania currently has no trained and certified biomedical engineers for biosafety cabinet certification. The country relies on expertise hired from other countries (mainly South Africa and Europe) at a very high cost. To alleviate this shortage, with COP 2011 funds, a total of three biomedical engineers were trained to support biosafety cabinet and other equipment certification. With COP 2012 funds, three additional engineers will be trained to create a pull of six biomedical engineers to support biosafety certification in Tanzania. The funds will also support their travels to the regions to perform biosafety cabinet certification activities.

Secondly, AFENET has been involved in phase 1 and 2 of evaluation of a new point of care CD4 enumerator (PIMA machine) which is expected to be registered in 2012. COP 2012 funds will be used to train a total of 30 trainers on the use of point of care CD4 diagnostic equipment. These trainers will go on to support on-site user traning of the PIMA CD4 diagnostic equiment at sites where the equipment is being deployed.

Furthermore, AFENET has been supporting 300 HIV testing sites, by proving proficiency testing panels and HIV logbooks for 2 years. For COP 2012, the partner will continue to support this activity at these 300 sites. AFENET has also been supporting three district labs under accreditation on Basic Laboratory Information System (BLIS). Depending on funding availability, AFENET will expand this support to six distirct laboratories under accreditation.

Lastly, Step-wise Laboratory Improvement Process towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) is one of the methods adopted at the MOHSW to improve the quality of laboratory services and achieving accrediation. AFENET will support the MOHSW on SLIPTA activities through facilitating SLIPTA trained auditors and mentors to travel and carry out montorship activities in the Country. A total of 19 laboratories are undergoing quality improvement processes towards accreditation, and more laboratories are being enrolled into the roadmap. The main challenge experienced by these laboratories is interrupted services due to frequent equipment breakdown and lack of necessary supplies and reagents. Depending on the availability of funds, AFENET will support provision of necessary supplies and parts that will ensure regular maintenance of the equipment.

Cross Cutting Budget Categories and Known Amounts Total: $36,000
Human Resources for Health $36,000
Key Issues Identified in Mechanism
Child Survival Activities
Safe Motherhood