AFRICA: US $1.5m for HIV/AIDS laboratory training and quality programmes

JOHANNESBURG, 30 Sep 2005 (PLUSNEWS) - The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is to receive approximately US $1.5 million in US federal funds to provide HIV/AIDS-related laboratory training and quality programmes in Africa, the society announced on Thursday.

The initiative is part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and will provide training for medical laboratory professionals and quality improvement programmes for diagnosis and laboratory monitoring of HIV/AIDS patients in resource-limited countries.

ASCP president LoAnn Peterson, said, "Ultimately, this programme will serve to enhance laboratory testing practices and the quality of laboratory testing services, in order to improve the effectiveness of HIV diagnostic, care, and treatment services and interventions."

The US Department of Health and Human Services Centres for Disease Control and Prevention will fund the programme.

[ENDS]