Provision of HIV/AIDS and TB Related Laboratory Support and Technical Assistance Services

Overview and Objectives

URC, with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Clinical Laboratory Services, and other local organizations, is providing technical support to strengthen Swaziland’s HIV and tuberculosis (TB) lab services. A team of lab and quality improvement (QI) experts is assessing medical labs to identify areas for improvement and recommend quality improvement measures.

Objectives inlcuded:

• Recommend QI tools and methods that will lead to improvements in laboratory procedures
• Provide training for technicians on monitoring the quality of diagnostic services and overall laboratory services
• Work with stakeholders to identify key indicators to measure the impact of improvements to the laboratory system
• Train technicians to conduct TB culture and drug sensitivity testing
• Support the development of microscopy skills among technicians
• Strengthen links between health facilities and laboratories

Achievements

• Supported the hiring and training of 20 essential laboratory staff, and building commitment within the Ministry of Health to plan for their absorption into the workforce in subsequent years;
• Conducted a baseline assessment of 18 laboratories’ logistic management information systems;
• Worked with the National Sample Transportation System to develop and disseminate six standard operating procedures for laboratory testing within 103 facilities;
• Supervised the collection and analysis of more than 23,000 laboratory specimens;
• Assisted in the management of two Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation QI workshops that trained 66 staff in QI procedures;
• Built the capacity of 14 Testing facilities (laboratories) to perform clinical laboratory tests, resulting in:
  • 100% of laboratories that returned results have satisfactory performance in external quality assurance/proficiency testing program for HIV diagnostics.
  • 100% of designated laboratories have the capacity to monitor antiretroviral combination therapy according to national and international guidelines.