By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos
Global Laboratory Initiative ((GLI) has released a Planning and Budgeting Tool for Tuberculosis (TB) and Drug Resistant TB Testing for calculation of quantities and costs of diagnostic products and laboratory supplies.
“The tool references product numbers and prices in the Stop TB Partnership Global Drug Facility (GDF) Diagnostics, Medical Devices, and other Health Products Catalog,” World Health Organization (WHO) reported on 20th January 2022.
The toolkit, the international authority on public health said, includes a semi-automated, editable, Excel-based calculation tool and an accompanying User Guide that explains editable fields and methods for calculation of goods within each Excel worksheet.
“Importantly, tool calculations take country-specific epidemiology and diagnostic algorithms into account when considering each user’s diagnostic product and laboratory supply needs.
“Worksheets with calculation tables are included for all WHO recommended diagnostic and drug susceptibility testing methods as well as items related to biosafety, cleaning, equipment maintenance and repair,” WHO highlighted.
According to it, the tool presents users with an automated annual Budget Summary that provides users with an overview of items for testing, cleaning, and biosafety as well as maintenance and repair costs.
Lastly, an automated annual Laboratory Items Summary provides a list of all items to be purchased and associated total costs based on user inputs, the agency declared.
“The Tool and User Guide are available on the GLI website and on the WHO website,” WHO clarified.
