PROPOSED OUTLINE FOR A NATIONAL PLAN FOR HIV/AIDS LABORATORIES.

This guide should be used in conjunction with the draft guide for the
planning process of the health sector response to HIV/AIDS being
finalised by WHO/AFRPO.

Situation analysis of the laboratories.

Review health sector plan

Review all evaluation document of health sector

Review national health plan

Review the laboratory performance in previous 12 months( accuracy of
data, QA, QC, reporting results in timely manner, competence of
personnel) laboratory profile ( Staff quality , quantity, Space),
laboratory operating procedures and work practices (biosafety,equipment,
supplies,SOP,inspecting specimens, interpretation of data,reporting of
results, conditions of specimen, using most reliable tests, reviewing
transcriptional measures, management, information systeme,storage
condition, communication system, etc)

-   AT the central level (Private and Public)

-   AT the regional level (Private and Public)

-   AT the district level (Private and Public)

·At least two districts and one region will have to be visited to
appreciate the situation on the ground. The situation of the
laboratories on the ground will have to be correlated with the severity
of the infection with HIV in the country and the National HIV Prevention
Strategy (if any).

**DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLAN OF ACTION FOR THE LABORATORIES.**

-   Discuss with Stakeholders, national authorities.

-   Constituted a team of laboratories person to prepare the plan.

-   Costing the plan.

-   Organise a consensus meeting with key people of health sector.

-   Finalize the plan document.

This is the proposed outline of the plan

# TO STRENGTHEN LABORATORY CAPACITY/SERVICES TO SUPPORT HIV/AIDS PREVENTION AND CARE INTERVENTION DESCRIBED IN THE NATIONAL STRATEGY PLAN FOR HEALTH SECTOR RESPONSE TO HIV/AIDS

1.  **To strengthen laboratory capacity**

    -   ensure availability of laboratory physical infrastructure

    -   ensure availability of the necessary equipment ( identify,
        procure, and install )

    -   ensure introduction of appropriate policies and legislation (
        organizational framework, mechanisms for identifying tests and
        testing protocols, relationships with other programmes and
        stakeholders )

    -   ensure availability of the necessary personnel ( identify
        competence required and recruit or re-deploy )

2.  **To improve laboratory diagnosis and testing**

    -   ensure regular supply of reagents, disposable materials, and
        disinfectants

    -   ensure availability and application of safety guidelines
        including safe disposal of infective materials

    -   ensure availability of screening and testing programmes for
        prevention (VCT, PMTCT, Blood Safety), surveillance, Diagnosis ,
        and monitoring of ARV).

    -   ensure availability of ARV resistance monitoring

3.  **To promote and strengthen training**

    -   ensure identification of training needs

    -   ensure training and retraining of laboratory technicians

4.  **To promote and strengthen quality assurance**

    -   ensure the development of a National Quality Assurance Programme

    -   ensure availability of SOPs and other guidelines

    -   ensure availability of a supervisory and follow up system

    -   

5.  **To promote communication between laboratories and all
    stakeholders**

    -   ensure advocacy at various levels( reports)

    -   ensure inter-agency coordination ( involve all stakeholders
        including partners )

    -   ensure access to communication materials ( computers, e-mail,
        telephone )

    -   ensure establishment of laboratory network ( identify
        laboratories, focal persons, communication systems)

    -   Sensitization of clinicians, health workers and users of
        laboratory

6.  **To promote monitoring and evaluation**

> \% of the districts which have fonctionneles structures for the
> diagnosis of HIV infection.
>
> \% of the laboratories implied in the diagnosis of HIV infection which
> applies the directives of WHO as regards diagnostic strategy of the
> VIH.
>
> \% of the laboratories implied in the diagnosis of VIH infection which
> have not shortage during 12 past of out-of-stock condition of reagents
> for the diagnosis of the VIH.
>
> \% of concordence of the tests between the laboratory of reference and
> the centers peripheral
>
> Numbers and % of the personnel of the centers trained or to recycle

This is meant to be a guide to build upon and identify the various
activities under each intervention.

-   Management and coordination.

-   Financing of the plan (Budget available funding, gaps)