In DRC, CDC works to provide establishment and operationalization of laboratory and diagnostic networks to achieve an AIDS-Free Generation and the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets.
The CDC laboratory activities include:
- Supporting MOH in developing, updating and sharing laboratory policies, documents and strategies for HIV rapid testing (RT), viral load, early infant diagnosis (EID) and TB
- Developing and strengthening of tiered national laboratory networks to improve testing and coverage for viral load, early infant diagnosis (EID) and HIV diagnosis and clinical monitoring
- Strengthening laboratory supply chain management systems, including inventory management, forecasting and procurement of standardized and point of care instruments based on country needs and ensure maintenance of molecular laboratory equipment.
- Supporting continuous laboratory/facility quality improvement initiatives, including accreditation, HIV rapid testing (RT), and participation in external quality assessment (EQA) programs for HIV, viral load, EID, and TB
- Supporting targeted laboratory staff training and other technical assistance to address gaps in scaling-up services for HIV RT, viral load, EID, and TB.
- Supporting Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) and other monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools to track progress and address gaps along the VL/EID and other related laboratory testing cascades
- Supporting for the national health surveys such as Integrated Bio-Behavioral Survey (IBBS)Supporting MOH to be align to International Health Regulation in Global Health Security to prevent humans and animals outbreaks, detect outbreak as quick as possible and respond rapidly and effectively to confirm diseases threats using a relevant multidisciplinary team.
