National Health Laboratory Systems Project
NAME OF THE PROJECT; – National Health Laboratory Systems Project (Lab4Health)
TIME; – 5 YEARS
DONOR; – PEPFAR/CDC
Laboratory for Health project (Lab4Health) 2023-2028 is a 5-years which aims at strengthening the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of laboratory systems in the United Republic of Tanzania. The project is funded by USG-PEPFAR, through the CDC-Tanzania. The project followed the successful completion of the National Health Laboratory Services Project (2018-2023). The 2018- 2023 National Health Laboratory Services was instrumental in scaling up and expanding HIV Viral Load and HIV Early Infant Diagnosis testing services and capacity in the country, accrediting 85 laboratories, including seven NBTS Centers, designing and developing a national sample referral network, enrolling over 11,000 HIV rapid testing points and 323 laboratories into external quality assurance program, among many other notable achievements.
The current 2023-2028 Lab4Health project is implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), President’s Office Local Government and Regional Administrative and Local Government (PO-RALG), as well as Regional Implementing Partners. The project continues to facilitate the implementation of the PEPFAR goal by ensuring laboratory services at all levels of the national health system contribute significantly to reaching and monitoring progress on the national and PEPFAR goal of attaining UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets and ending AIDS in Tanzania by 2030.
Through the Lab4Health project, MDH will strengthen the diagnostic network by enhancing access, efficiency, and sustainability. This will be achieved by optimizing the network and strengthening sample referral systems to ensure equitable access of diagnostics across the country. Furthermore, the project will reinforce practices such as multi-disease testing at point of care testing sites and conventional molecular testing laboratories, and integrated sample referral for increased utilization of diagnostic platforms, cost-effectiveness in testing, and overall long-term sustainability of the network. Also, Lab4Health will champion the use of electronic systems for increased visibility and ownership of the network.
Furthermore, Lab4Health will work closely with the Ministry of Health to establish, strengthen molecular testing including integrating genotyping tests for HIV drug resistance and Human Papilloma Virus into the existing diagnostic network for increased coverage and access. This will go together with strengthening capacity for molecular waste management across Tanzania. Additionally, in collaboration with stakeholders the project will enhance the country capacity to timely detect, prevent and respond to emerging and re-emerging diseases. Lastly, MDH will collaborate with stakeholders to strengthen quality management systems through RTCQI, EQA/PT, SLMTA and accreditation programs that will ensure the quality of all diagnostic tests at all levels of healthcare in the United Republic of Tanzania.
