NU2GGH002357

Strengthening Public Health Laboratory Systems in Uganda - Project Abstract Summary

The Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC), a not-for-profit, non-governmental, local organization established in 1990 to address the serious problem of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda, will work together with its sub-partners, the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and Biolabs Red Services. The aim is to support the Uganda National Health Laboratory Services (UNHLS) in strengthening laboratory systems and establishing sustainable diagnostic optimized networks and partnerships for integrated HIV-related testing, disease surveillance, and outbreak investigation in Uganda. The ultimate goal is to deliver Uganda's national minimum healthcare package.

Goal:
The primary goal of this project is to provide PEPFAR support to the UNHLS to achieve and monitor Uganda's global HIV 95-95-95 goals through improved and sustainable laboratory services.

Project Strategies:
1. Work with UNHLS to establish self-sustainable minimum laboratory services at the national, RRH, district, and health center laboratories that function as specimen referral, testing, and result transmission hubs.
2. Provide technical assistance (TA) to UNHLS to develop and implement the national laboratory accreditation sustainability plan and activities, including the national laboratory quality assurance master plan, capacity building for biosafety and biosecurity, and implementation of biosafety and biosecurity measures within the laboratory network.
3. Provide TA to UNHLS to coordinate and implement the national laboratory supply chain and equipment management.
4. Assist UNHLS to implement a national LIMS master plan approach and activities.

Proposed Approaches and Capacity-Building Activities:
Our proposed approaches and capacity-building activities to improve the overall performance of Uganda's laboratory services will be innovative and geared towards long-term sustainability. We will support the UNHLS in expanding and sustaining the implementation of quality management systems at all health system levels, leading to full accreditation status. Our focus will be on strengthening laboratories in the regional referral hospitals and the 100 'hubs' responsible for specimen referral, testing, and result transmission. We will prioritize biosafety and biosecurity measures and facilitate improved maintenance of laboratory equipment and sufficient supplies of all commodities to ensure the availability and sustainability of laboratory services. Additionally, we will prioritize the collection, reporting, and utilization of laboratory data to provide reports and dashboards. All of these activities will be done in collaboration and coordination with the Ministry of Health (MOH), its donors, and implementing partners who provide the necessary financial and technical support for the laboratories.

Anticipated Impact and Results:
The anticipated impact and results of this project are resilient, sustainable, and reliable laboratory services that support national HIV/AIDS care and treatment across Uganda and ensure healthcare for all through the full implementation of Uganda's national minimum healthcare package.

Approved for Public Release.

Joint Clinical Research Centre

NOT APPLICABLE

93.067 - Global AIDS

CDC Office of Financial Resources (OFR) [HHS - CDC]

Center for Global Health (CGH) [HHS - CDC]

Uganda

Foreign

Sustainable National Health Laboratory Systems and Partnerships in Uganda under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) (CDC-RFA-GH21-2140)

COVID-19 $80,000 (1%) percent of this Cooperative Agreement was funded by COVID-19 emergency acts including the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 782% from $1,662,326 to $14,657,048.