The faculty in the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Division, Department of Pathology, have been involved with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) in helping the global fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa.
    This effort is part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), initiated in 2003 by President Bush.  PEPFAR committed $15 billion dollars over a five year period for the prevention, monitoring and treatment of HIV/AIDS and related diseases in resource limited countries.  The focus of PEPFAR is on preventing the spread of HIV through sexual transmission, mother-to-child transmission, and transmission through blood and medical injections.  The plan brings awareness of HIV through counseling and testing.  Also within the scope of PEPFAR is the laboratory evaluation of treatment protocols.  ASCP was awarded a grant of $1.2 million dollars to support laboratory training and quality improvement for the diagnosis and laboratory monitoring of HIV/AIDS patients.  Countries that ASCP is working with include Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa, Zambia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Guyana, Nigeria, Namibia, and Rwanda.
    ASCP’s team of volunteers started with on-site assessments of each country, creating training/teaching modules for the local laboratory professionals.  Continuing education has been provided in the areas of Hematology, Chemistry, CD4 testing, Laboratory Management, Phlebotomy and Basic Laboratory Operations.  Professor Karen A. Brown, MS, MT(ASCP) has written training modules and also traveled to Lesotho, Swaziland, and South Africa as a consultant, teaching both hematology and phlebotomy.   
    Another component of ASCP’s involvement in PREPFAR is a “pre-service” training program.  The goals of this project are to:  1. Assist resource limited countries in curriculum development for laboratory training programs.  2.  Train the next generation of laboratory professionals.  3.  Enhance teaching skills of faculty in resource limited countries.
    To accomplish this task, ASCP invited four medical technology programs from various regions of the U.S. to participate in the pre-service training.  Those selected were the University of Utah, State University of New York-Stony Brook, University of Nebraska Health Science Center and University of Texas, Galveston. 
    The MLS Division faculty have reviewed curriculum of training programs in Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Kenya.  ASCP consultants from each of the  universities have traveled to these countries to meet their African colleagues and discuss gaps in the curriculum and teaching methodologies.  The suggestions and recommendations made by the ASCP consultants are designed to compliment and supplement the existing curriculum, functioning in a support capacity.  Professor JoAnn Fenn, MS,MT(ASCP) has visited Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya to provide workshops, and present lesson plans on topics in microbiology and professional teaching development. 
    Since January 2008, ASCP consultants have created over 84 learning modules that were requested by the program faculty in these four countries. Department of Pathology faculty created 11 of those modules which include interactive laboratory activities, case studies, and small group activities.     
        The involvement of MLS faculty in these projects is an example of professional service and has been a remarkable experience and opportunity for those involved.  Partnering with ASCP has supported African educators in their updating and revising of curriculum.  Ultimately, the result will be improved clinical laboratory services and better patient care in resource-limited countries.