IndoPacLab

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. 

Objective

The project has four key objectives: 

• protect existing testing services for HIV, TB and malaria
• optimise testing capabilities through integrating testing systems for COVID-19, HIV, TB and malaria
• enhance quality, capacity and safety of laboratory testing for high impact infectious diseases in the COVID-19 era
• enhance laboratory networks and cross-country collaboration.

Timeline

2021–2023.

Approach

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:

• strengthened inventory management in four provinces, within Provincial/District/Health centre laboratories
• strengthened human resources systems to support appropriately skilled staff in laboratories
• improved quality of testing for COVID-19, HIV, TB and malaria through targeted staff training.

Community impact

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.