Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Details for Mechanism ID: 10831
Country/Region: Vietnam
Year: 2012
Main Partner: Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: NGO
Funding Agency: HHS/CDC
Total Funding: $140,000

The Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) is a major player in Vietnam for development and implementation of QA practices. Its primary accomplishments in this area include technical assistance (TA) for the development of national level laboratory-related strategic plans. CLSI has also increased the number of laboratory technicians in Vietnam with a thorough understanding of quality management systems (QMS) and an understanding of how to implement in accordance with national policy.

This activity is referenced in the Partnership Framework Implementation Plan (Goal #2: Supporting the provision of sustainable HIV/AIDS Services through strengthening systems for peoples health and welfare, Objective 2.1 c: Improve Laboratory Systems through improved strategic planning, systems management, coordination, training and accreditation).

Nearly all activities supported by CLSI have an impact at the national level. Through its training activities, CLSI is building a group of Vietnam Laboratory Technicians already working within the MOH who have assumed responsibility for QMS activities. Although it is difficult to quantify improvements related to the activities supported by CLSI, it is clear that its support has made a significant contribution to the understanding of QMS by key members of MOH (including one deputy minister). The implementation of several other laboratory activities has also been successful because of an improved understanding on the part of MOH staff.

Funding for Laboratory Infrastructure (HLAB): $140,000

CLSI is a global, nonprofit, standards-developing organization that identifies best practices, voluntary consensus standards, and guidelines through a unique consensus process that balances the viewpoints of government, industry, and health professions. CLSI activities in Vietnam are currently involved in building laboratory capacity through the provision of laboratory standards and guidelines, and providing technical assistance, training, and technology transfer to individuals and organizations.

CLSI has supported the following activities in the past: 1) TA to Vietnam MOH for development of the National Laboratory Strategic Plan, NLST and the TB Laboratory Strategic Plan; 2) Planning and coordination of the SE Asia Quality Management Symposium, held in Bangkok, Thailand Spring 2011. This symposium marked the introduction of the Quality Management Systems (QMS) to Vietnam and included high level MOH staff; 3) Curriculum developed and delivered the QMS for Laboratory Leadership. The goal of this training is to expand the number of Vietnamese laboratory technicians with an increased capacity to create national level laboratory policy.

COP12 funded activities will include the following: 1) A second delivery of the QMS certificate program to include a wider group of participants from the region (Cambodia and Thailand). 2) Continued TA for VAMS for creation of a seminar on Quality Standards for Labs and implementation of the NLSP. 3) TA to the 3 recently created Quality Control Centers. 4) Delivery of on-site training for implementation of ISO 17043 standards (for EQA providers).