Laboratory Sample transport Vehicle from PEPFAR

 

Date: 16^th July 2015

 

Venue: Swaziland National Health Mbabane

 

 

 

• Director of Events

• Her Excellency US Ambassador to Swaziland

• Principal Secretary

• Director of Health services

• Senior officials from Ministry of Health

• Management of the National Health Laboratory

• Media officials present

• Ladies and Gentlemen

   

  Good Morning and you are welcome to the National Health Laboratory Services.

  It is my greatest pleasure to receive these 5 Laboratory Sample transport vehicles to the Ministry of health.

   

  Since 2006, the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in collaboration with CDC, USAID, URC and other implementing partners has greatly contributed to strengthening of Health Laboratory systems and services in the country.

   

  In 2010, the MOH in collaboration with supporting partners established a national sample transport system aimed at enabling specimen referral from primary health care clinics to centralized testing laboratories. Through this system, the decentralization of HIV/AIDS diagnostic and treatment monitoring laboratory services has significantly improved, especially in the fight against the HIV/AIDS and TB epidemic.

   

  Everyone has a role to play in this endeavor, the Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland through the MOH and its supporting partners have indeed demonstrated their commitment towards improving the health status of the people of Swaziland.

 

 

 

Currently the national samples transport system consisting of 7 vehicles and servicing 120 primary health care clinics located in 3 PEPFAR supported regions in the country (Lubombo, Hhohho and Manzini). These vehicles are operated by trained phlebotomy drivers, following a pre-determined schedule.

 

 

 

As the country scales up access for Anti-retro viral therapy, including adoption of routine viral load monitoring for ART patient, additional logistical support to boost the existing fleet of vehicles is key in improving the reliability and efficiency of the system.

 

 

 

It is worth noting that this additional support of 5 vehicles at a cost of E2 533 592.50 will increase the frequency and reliability of sample collection and result delivery for HIV diagnosis treatment and monitoring, especially as the country moves towards improving effectiveness and efficiencies in the national HIV/AIDS response and reduction of new HIV infections among adults and pediatrics.

 

 

 

Program Director and your Excellency the US Ambassador please note that we have received vehicles a total number of 12 vehicles and one bus which were received by his Excellency the Prime Minister in the year 2011 in the same place through the Ministry of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cooperative Agreement (MOH/CDC Co Ag) and we are happy to assure you your Excellency that those vehicles are still in good condition and being used to date.

 

 

 

That gives me confidence that the ones we will receive today will also be cared for in the same manner as we consider them a good investment for Health System Strengthening in the country.

 

 

 

Your Excellency the US Ambassador to Swaziland, Ladies and Gentlemen,Please allow me to stress the importance of sustainability and management of the vehicles.We are confident that the Ministry of Health through the Laboratory Service will operate and keep the vehicles well-maintained.

 

 

 

Furthermore, the Government of Swaziland is committed to this endeavor as we move towards decentralization and provision of quality health care services. We are indeed pleased to partner with the US Government through PEPFAR and its implementation partners in the fight of HIV/AIDS epidemic.

 

 

 

Program Director, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, as I conclude my speech, may I thankPEPFAR, USAID and URC for the procurement of these vehicles and their continuous commitment in strengthening access to HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment monitoring services to a greater scale.

 

 

 

As MOH, we reinforce our commitment in the partnership framework of the Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland and the US Government in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, the vehicles I am receiving today are a significant contribution that will enable the Ministry to reach its goal of decentralizing service provision and thus promoting our access to laboratory services enabling better diagnosis and patient health outcomes.

 

It is now my singular honor and pleasure to commission the vehicles to the National Laboratory to be used for Sample transportation.

 

May God bless us all.