The Strengthening Laboratory and Diagnostic Capacity in the Indo-Pacific (IndoPacLab) Program aims to strengthen laboratory functions for accurate, timely and scalable testing of COVID-19, HIV, TB and malaria across three countries: Papua New Guinea (PNG), Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR). IndoPacLab is a AUD 5.2 million investment funded under the Australia Government’s contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The project has four key objectives:
2021–2023.
Burnet Institute is part of the IndoPacLab consortium led by Kirby Institute, working alongside Doherty Institute, CHAI, and FIND, specifically within PNG.
In 2021–2022, Burnet supported a needs assessment process (including a desktop review and series of laboratory assessments) which captured the strengths and key areas for improvement of the medical laboratory sector across PNG.
Following prioritisation of needs by key laboratory stakeholders, including the National Laboratory Technical Working Group, a project work-plan was developed.
Under the work-plan, Burnet is contributing to three key outcomes during IndoPacLab’s implementation phase:
By strengthening testing for COVID-19, HIV, TB and malaria, IndoPacLab will contribute to improving the diagnosis of these diseases for people in PNG, Cambodia and Laos. In PNG, the project focuses on provincial and peripheral laboratories, reaching facilities that are not often serviced by large grants.
Supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security, the Global Fund, and the Kirby Institute.