HHS/CDC: Enhancing Laboratory Capabilities in Resource-Limited Countries under PEPFAR

Eligible applicants that can apply for this funding opportunity are listed below:
• Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL)

Under the leadership of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, as part of the President’s Emergency Plan, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (HHS/CDC) works with host countries and other key partners to assess the needs of each country and design a customized program of assistance that fits within the host nation’s strategic plan and partnership framework.

HHS/CDC focuses primarily on two or three major program areas in each country. Goals and priorities include the following:
• Achieving primary prevention of HIV infection through activities such as expanding confidential counseling and testing programs linked with evidence based behavioral change and building programs to reduce mother-to-child transmission;
• Improving the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and related opportunistic infections by improving STI management; enhancing laboratory diagnostic capacity and the care and treatment of opportunistic infections; interventions for intercurrent diseases impacting HIV infected patients including tuberculosis (TB); and initiating programs to provide anti-retroviral therapy (ART);
• Strengthening the capacity of countries to collect and use surveillance data and manage national HIV/AIDS programs by expanding HIV/STI/TB/Ebola surveillance programs and strengthening laboratory support for surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, disease monitoring and HIV screening for blood safety; and
• Developing, validating and/or evaluating public health programs to inform, improve and target appropriate interventions, as related to the prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, TB, Ebola and other opportunistic infections.

In an effort to ensure maximum cost efficiencies and program effectiveness, HHS/CDC also supports coordination with and among partners and integration of activities that promote Global Health Initiative principles. As such, grantees may be requested to participate in programmatic activities that include the following activities:
• Implement a woman- and girl-centered approach;
• Increase impact through strategic coordination and integration;
• Strengthen and leverage key multilateral organizations, global health partnerships and private sector engagement;
• Encourage country ownership and invest in country-led plans;
• Build sustainability through investments in health systems;
• Improve metrics, monitoring and evaluation; and
• Promote research, development and innovation (research is not supported by this FOA).

The provision of quality laboratory services and the conduct of reliable diagnostic testing are challenging in many international settings where resources are limited. Quality laboratory testing is an integral element of the clinical diagnosis scheme, infectious disease surveillance, and the formation of public health policy. Good laboratory practices prove to be cost-effective, promote reliable and accurate results, contribute to good patient care, and promote a positive attitude towards testing from a patient’s perspective.