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U.S. and Zimbabwe partner for the launch of health care minimum standards policies
US Embassy
September 14, 2011

The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare Laboratory Services and the National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday launched the National Guidelines for Medical Laboratories, the National Blood Policy and National Blood Standards in Harare.

These laboratory standards are the minimum requirements to be met by all laboratories and testing in Zimbabwe in order to ensure universal access to reliable, high quality laboratory testing, especially for HIV prevention, care and treatment programmes. The Ministry, in collaboration with CDC, will roll out the guidelines by training laboratories and testing sites followed by site support and supervisory programs to ensure full implementation.

Dr. Peter H. Kilmarx, Director of CDC/Zimbabwe, emphasized the importance of laboratory guidelines. "These guidelines will help ensure the accuracy and timeliness of test results throughout Zimbabwe. An inaccurate test result is worse than no result at all."

"These guidelines will lead to an ideal accredited laboratory, which leads to an ideal quality result," said the Hon. Deputy Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr. D. Mombershora.

The National Blood Policy establishes the framework of blood transfusion services in Zimbabwe, including the collection, processing, distribution and use of blood. The National Blood Standards for blood transfusion are the minimum requirements for hospital blood bank laboratories. The standards help to ensure that all blood providers meet government minimum guidelines. CDC will support future programs to raise awareness of the blood policy, and education and training to implement the blood standards.

The United States Government, through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), supported and participated in the development of the National Guidelines for Medical Laboratories. This support includes the production of 1,000 copies of the standards and their launch through a cooperative agreement with Zimbabwe National Quality Assurance Programme (ZINQAP) totalling approximately US$3.3million.

The United States remains fully committed and engaged with Zimbabwe in the fight against HIV/AIDS through PEPFAR. Under the program, PEPFAR's support for laboratories dates back to 2002, including the provision of technical and financial assistance.

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