global health

In support of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals and the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health ’ s ( MoHCC ) five-year VL Scale-up Plan , APHL works with VL laboratories to increase their capacity for testing and equipment utilization . It supports the expansion and strengthening of VL specimen referral and transport systems , collaborates with other MoHCC partners to create demand for routine VL testing and provides equipment to MoHCC for processing of DBS dried specimens . Funded through PEPFAR , specific activities include :

• Procurement of six high-throughput Roche VL / EID machines and their related ancillary equipment , provision of bundled comprehensive services and maintenance of equipment and laboratory refurbishment for VL laboratories

• Procurement of specimen collection materials , including tubes , needles and request forms

• Procurement of VL testing reagents and consumables , including PPE

• Collaboration with clinical partners to educate clinicians and increase demand and mobilization through trainings , site visits , VL technical working group meetings and provision of job aides for referring clinics

• Strengthen specimen / results transport system and referral network through a hub-and-spoke model

• Provision and support of mobile phones to provide prompt communication of high VL results to clinics

• Strengthen quality management systems through the WHO-Afro SLMTA-SLIPTA program implemented at VL laboratories and the specimen collection hubs with the support of resident APHL laboratory mentors

• Support MoHCC laboratory staff for shift work and work schedules outside usual working hours in order to increase VL testing surge capacity beyond the eight-hour capacity .

• Certify laboratory scientists in VL testing

• Support paper-based lab information system ( LIS ) with stationery supplies and laboratory registers , as well as supporting the roll-out of a MoHCC electronic LIS through the provision of computers , printers , printer cartridges and barcodes .

• Supporting VL External Quality Assurance for all 12 VL labs in Zimbabwe through the CDC-Atlanta VL proficiency testing program . n

For 50 years , using CLSI ’ s library of standards has been the mosttrusted way to ensure proper testing and quality control — helping labs provide the highest quality results for their patients .

Learn more about how CLSI can help improve your lab , including resources to help you pass or maintain accreditation at clsi . org / 2018 .