Adapting and Modifying Optimized Sample Transport Routes for Achieving Impact (AMOSTRA)

The primary purpose of Adapting and Modifying Optimized Sample Transport Routes for Achieving Impact (AMOSTRA) is to provide an effective and efficient transportation system for laboratory specimens including viral load (VL) for HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) and Tuberculosis (TB) specimens. This system will operate under the supervision of the GRM and will gradually be transitioned to the government to manage. This directly supports the GRM’s strategic objectives in the Mozambique National Development Strategy (2015 - 2035) that calls for the eradication of large epidemics and the diseases that are the major causes of mortality, including HIV/AIDS, and Tuberculosis. Achieving the reduction of HIV prevalence from 14% in 2015 to 5% in 2035 as called for in the strategy requires an effective laboratory specimen transportation system. Additionally, the Health Sector Strategic Plan (PESS, 2015-2024) calls for strengthening transport systems for laboratory samples.

This activity will be focused on five key objectives: 1) Increased access to diagnostic testing with a focus on HIV VL, EID and TB testing; 2) Improved timeliness of diagnostic test results / shortened turnaround times between specimen collection and return of results; 3) Reducing the cost of specimen referrals by ensuring cost-effective means for packaging, transporting and returning test results; 4) Assured quality of diagnostics testing through proper handling of specimens and test results; 5) Support for a national platform for reporting, monitoring, coordinating, and continuous quality improvement of specimen transport. AMOSTRA will expand access to viral load monitoring, EID and TB testing by competitively engaging transporters, including both private sector and community-level transporters, to operate a cost-effective specimen referral system.