Laboratory Operational Team Dr Zinhle Makatini Thank you chair. First, I want to thank the organisers for inviting the NCC to participate in this meeting. I am one of the members of NCC and am standing for Dr Khomo, the chairperson. Most of you have already had about the NCC before today’s meeting, and the role of the NCC in the certification process for eradication of polio. I hope I will be able to convince you in the next 10 minutes that our role would be very difficult without your support.

Accomplishments over the past year Initiated contract with Lancet Lab for: CD4, HIV RNA, routine safety labs, repository lab and sample transport Established procedures for: - Phlebotomy (pre- and post-test counselling) - HIV and pregnancy rapid testing - Blood smears - Sample processing and shipping Trained lab personnel at 1 Mil and Mtubatuba

Tasks for Upcoming Year Evaluate composition of Laboratory Team Develop transition strategy for funding Lancet Contract Re-evaluate opportunity for development of enhanced laboratory capability within SAMHS – beginning with sample repository

Composition of Laboratory Team Current Members of Lab Operational Team: South Africa USA Dr Z Makatini (Chair) Dr Robin Dewar (Mentor) Dr MJ Mphahlele Ms Julie Metcalf - Dr L Webber Ms Helene Highbarger Phidisa Lab Staff: - Director (1) - Deputy Director (1) - vacant - Lab assistants (12) – 8 vacant

Transition Strategy for Funding Lancet Contract Current Status – HJF administers funding of the Lancet contract Preparation for change – Scientific Application International Corporation (SAIC) to administer funding for the Lancet Transition from HJF to SAIC projected to take 3-4 months Line of communication for Lancet Laboratory will continue to go through the Phidisa Laboratory Director Dr Z Makatini

Lab Infrastructure at SAMHS Creation of a repository within the SAMHS is the next most important task. Requirements - Building permits - Operational - Facility - Personnel - Data base

Lab Research Proposals Discordant couples HIV Genotyping Predictive value of lab markers: Hemoglobin Total lymphocyte count Weight

Phidisa Laboratory Budget for Fiscal Year ending June 2005* Clinic Labs SAR 350,000 Site visits SAR 70,000 Meetings SAR 45,000 Lancet contract SAR 10,250,000 Repository SAR 7,000,000 *Does not include personnel & genotyping costs

Laboratory Requests for: Operational Teams Please work with the Lab Director to: - Identify lab-dedicated staff. - Establish the patient flow scheme for each site. - Train clinical staff on laboratory specific issues.

Concluding Remarks With the upcoming implementation of new protocols and the opening of new sites, we anticipate a busy year for all, including the Site Labs. Good communication between the site PIs and the Lab Director will ensure the continued success of Project Phidisa.