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The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to strengthen HIV strategic information (SI) in Senegal through design and implementation of a national HIV case reporting system and other surveillance activities in support of the national Strategic Information (SI) program. This announcement allows for the expansion of existing HIV surveillance activities in Senegal with the following program goals and objectives: * Implementing a round of surveillance among pregnant women attending ANC based on routine prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) program data by 2016 through the evaluating and strengthening the quality of routine PMTCT data and HIV testing. * Supporting the Senegal National AIDS Control Program (CNLS) to establishing a national HIV case surveillance system by 2019 through the strengthening and expansion of the pilot case surveillance system initiated in 2013.

The United States (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working to help the Côte d'Ivoire Ministry of Health meet key International Health Regulation (IHR) requirements through implementation of priority Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) activities. The objectives of this program are to strengthen Côte d'Ivoire's health system capacities to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies. This program emphasizes further improving core GHSA priority capacities in disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, emergency preparedness and response, public health workforce development, and strengthening of anti-microbial resistance stewardship. This program includes a particular focus on strengthening disease surveillance through the establishment of an event-based surveillance system in high-risk border districts, reinforced through public health staff training and supervision. Surveillance and response capacities will be bolstered through improved laboratory point of care diagnostics and the integration of epidemiologic and laboratory data. This program will also support building Côte d'Ivoire's capacity to respond to disease outbreaks and public health emergencies through the training and mentoring of a cadre of public health workers in each of the 101 districts in Côte d'Ivoire in field epidemiology and emergency preparedness and response, reinforcing these capacities via field simulation exercises.

Botswana has both a high prevalence of HIV (25% among persons 15-49 years of age) and a high incidence of TB (455 new cases per 100,000 population per year). Drug resistance is a concern with both diseases. High quality surveillance and monitoring data are needed for effective disease control efforts. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) has two primary objectives. Both are meant to support ongoing efforts of the Botswana Ministry of Health (MOH). The first objective is to strengthen the capacity of the TB laboratory and surveillance systems focusing on drug resistance and system integration. The second objective is to a) complete the national rollout of PIMS II (Patient Information Management System) to health care facilities and development of the national data warehouse and b) to support development and implementation of an HIV surveillance strategy at national- and district-levels.

Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement (NOFO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seeks to support routine laboratory-based surveillance of priority infectious diseases and lab confirmation of outbreaks in India by strengthening laboratory-based surveillance and specimen referral systems. This will involve advocacy and consultation/strategic planning meetings with various national and international stakeholders of human and veterinary sectors; training on routine laboratory-based surveillance and follow up. The identified laboratories should also be trained on biorisk management and safe packaging and referral of specimens using IATA-DGR (International Air Transport Association's Dangerous Goods Regulations).

he FETP graduates, staff and trainees are important assets and help build sustainable public health capacity in their countries. Through public health conferences they share field epidemiology experiences and present work investigations through oral and poster presentations. This collaboration reinforces best practices in applied epidemiology, training, surveillance, and response and introduces new tools, concepts, and training materials. However, the region’s FETPs can be more effective if their collaboration extends beyond scientific conferences. Network development can enhance surveillance, investigation and response capacity globally through regular communication and exchange of information and allow for more robust response to regional and national public health threats. In 2009, the FETPs in the East Mediterranean Region (EMRO) began to organize a network in the Middle East that partner with MOH FETP representatives, CDC and EMRO closely collaborate to strengthen existing national FETPs and regional disease surveillance. This close collaboration and networking among programs is critical as the globe faces new and re-emerging public health threats. The recent outbreaks of Ebola and Zika viruses clearly demonstrate the need for strong local and regional programs that can mobilize rapid response teams quickly and assist countries and global partners to control disease and strengthen public health infrastructure.

The purpose of this FOA is to provide technical assistance (TA) to the Government of Kenya (GOK) and implementing partners in strengthening their capacity to design and implement systems to collect, analyze, interpret and disseminate high quality HIV data. To achieve this, the awardee(s) will complete activities under the following program areas: Program Area A - Surveillance and Epidemiology: Support the GOK and its partners in strengthening their capacity to design, implement, analyze, disseminate, and use data from epidemiologic studies to adequately and accurately measure outcomes and impact, while informing decision making and policy in the national and sub-national HIV response. Epidemiologic studies will include surveillance, surveys, operations research/implementation science and public health impact evaluations. Program Area B - Monitoring and Evaluation: Strengthen the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) capacity of health workers in program data collection, analysis and reporting as well as cohort analysis and program evaluation. The support will also include review, revision and roll out of M&E framework, tools, policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs), M&E coordination and collaboration at national and sub-national levels and support strengthening quality of HIV data through training and mentorship. Program Area C - mHealth: The third component will entail supporting the GOK units such as the National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP), National Public Health Laboratory Services (NPHLS) and Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) in mobile technology innovations (mHealth) projects that leverage mobile technologies to enhance efficiencies in the delivery of prevention, care and treatment of HIV.

The purpose of this project is to: 1) continue a birth defects surveillance system implemented under award #1U01GH000487 in four main hospitals in Kampala, Uganda focusing on major external structural birth defects; and 2) conduct a nested case-control study concurrently with the surveillance to determine if maternal use of cotrimoxazole or ARTs during very early pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of birth defects in newborns. Results from this study will provide background rates of birth defects in Kampala and provide baseline estimates of maternal medication use to treat HIV/AIDS in pregnancy and the prevalence of major external birth defects.

In Uganda, key and priority populations (KP/PP) have a higher prevalence of HIV and more difficulties accessing prevention and care services. This NOFO will improve the development, implementation, and monitoring of accessible, appropriate, and targeted HIV combination prevention for KP/PP in Uganda. This NOFO will result in an increased use of these services by KP/PP, which will result in these high risk sub-populations attaining the 90-90-90 goals and achieving epidemic control by 2020. The recipient will provide technical assistance (TA) to CDC comprehensive regional implementing partners (IPs) on developing, monitoring, and evaluating new ways to provide combination prevention to KP/PP; implementing and evaluating a nationwide training on gender and sexual identity; and cascading a KP training nationwide to health workers to reduce stigma and discrimination. Strategic information (SI) activities, including improving the collection of routine surveillance data, mapping KP/PP hotspots, and evaluating interventions will support the development and implementation of accessible, appropriate, targeted combination prevention for KP/PP. The recipient will support the Ugandan Ministry of Health (MOH) to improve surveillance of HIV in KP/PP (including population size estimates and bio-behavioral studies) and develop comprehensive guidelines for service provision to KP/PP.

This notice of funding opportunity supplemental expansion will support foreign governments through their ministries of health or other responsible entities for human health or public-health emergency preparedness in Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, the Maldives, Mali, Mozambique, Republic of Tunisia, and South East Europe (a multi-country proposal from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro). The principal purpose is this additional year of funding is to extend support of routine influenza surveillance and build capacity to respond to and contain a highly pathogenic virus transmissible among humans in the above-referenced countries. A second intent is to support the development of epidemiologic, virologic, and related capacity to detect, respond to, and monitor changes in influenza viruses, as well as identify outbreaks of severe respiratory illness syndromes. A third intent is to increase participation in the World Health Organization Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and capacity to share specimens and clinical/epidemiologic data on the circulation of influenza in the identified countries.

In 2014, CDC-Ethiopia started supporting the Government of Ethiopia to build Ethiopia's capacity to achieve the International Health Regulation (IHR) targets through implementing the Global Health Security Agenda. The initial roadmap was developed with multisector partners in 2015, and the multi-sector collaboration has proved successful as over 500 people have been trained in field epidemiology; a national public health emergency operations center exists for outbreak; and diagnostic and surveillance capacity has increased to respond to emerging disease threats. Ethiopia was the second country to conduct a joint external assessment (JEE) and has completed a costed National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS). EPHI led the multisector partners in both of these initiatives. The strategic focus areas of CDC's work to achieve Ethiopia's IHR compliance are the following: Laboratory Workforce Development Surveillance Emergency Management

PEPFAR South Sudan works in collaboration with the Government of South Sudan (GOSS) Ministry of Health (MOH) in implementing the HIV/AIDS National Strategic Plan (NSP) based on a priority action approach and strong collaboration and coordination among different stakeholders. PEPFAR South Sudan has prioritized supporting the MOH in strengthening their national laboratory system with the primary objective of supporting the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and surveillance of HIV through high-quality laboratory services. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) solicits technical assistance (TA) to strengthen the GOSS MOH laboratory and blood transfusion services systems. Outcomes will include the overall strengthening of the National Reference Lab, implementing and achieving accreditation for quality assurance systems; strengthening service delivery through increased technical assistance to lab testing programs, and training and accreditation for the national blood safety programs. The ultimate outcome is a national integrated quality-assured network of tiered laboratories providing quality clinical laboratory services with the capacity to support the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and surveillance of HIV and other diseases and support the establishment of the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) and the National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS).

Reliable, efficient laboratory services and networks are fundamental components of effective, well-functioning health systems and are essential for patient management, disease detection and control and surveillance. The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to support the Ministry of Health in Mozambique to strengthen the integrated national laboratory network in order to ensure the provision of quality laboratory services for clinical diagnosis, screening, research, and surveillance to support HIV care and treatment and the achievement of an AIDS free generation. The FOA will address the following cross-cutting elements of laboratory systems: governance and management of the integrated laboratory network, strengthening institutions to build and retain a quality laboratory workforce, and building technical and scientific capacity and implementing quality management systems towards accreditation. The expected project outcomes include:* Increased efficiency of laboratory network operations* Increased implementation of quality management systems through a technically and financially sustainable quality improvement and accreditation program owned and implemented by the Ministry of Health* An increase in the coverage and quality of external quality assessment (EQA) services* Improved adherence to laboratory biosafety standards* Improved quality of laboratory pre-service training * Increase in number of laboratory managers and leaders with Master's level training* Improved capacity of laboratory workforce and decreased reliance on external training support

The national response to the HIV epidemic in Swaziland has undergone dramatic changes and achieved major milestones up to date. As the epidemic matures in Swaziland and the country shifts from emergency response to scale-up of prevention interventions and universal access to care and treatment, the technical needs of the country are also evolving. Monitoring trends, identifying and addressing knowledge gaps, and strengthening the country's long-term capacity to use epidemiological tools to produce strategic information are now recognized as important priorities moving forward. Currently, Swaziland lacks coordinated infrastructure and capacity to formulate and address research questions that will inform programmatic and policy decisions. In addition, the country needs a robust epidemiological surveillance system for communicable and non-communicable disease to enable the detection of and efficient response to disease outbreaks. The overall goal of this FOA is to strengthen the capacity of Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry of Economic Planning and Development (MoEPD) to produce and effectively use epidemiological, surveillance, and research data in the Kingdom of Swaziland.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Central America (CA) is concentrated, with low prevalence among the adult population but high prevalence among key populations (KPs), including men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender (TG) women (male to female), sex workers (SW), and certain ethnic groups, such as the Garifuna. In alignment with the IOM's recommendations, as well as the Central America Partnership Framework (PF) and the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator's (OGAC) "Sustainability Planning Guidance Document: Advancing Country Ownership in PEPFAR III," this FOA prioritizes support for concrete efforts that assist ministries of health (MOH) in Central America to lead, manage, coordinate, and implement national responses to their respective concentrated epidemics while sustaining programmatic quality and coverage goals. Funding will support regional activities in 2 geographic clusters: Cluster A (Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica) and Cluster B (Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, and Panama). Applicants must submit a separate application and budget for each geographic area (Cluster) they intend to implement.Cluster A - Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica:* Regional expansion and enhancement of the Sexually-transmitted Infection Sentinel Surveillance and Control Strategy (VICITS, by its Spanish acronym), an HIV combination prevention intervention that includes improved STI diagnosis and treatment, condom promotion and distribution, HIV counseling and testing (HCT), linkage to care, and a second-generation surveillance information system.

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to strengthen capabilities of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and District Health Teams (DHTs) to conduct the following activities: (1) monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of HIV program including service quality assessment, (2) district led HIV programming (DLP); (3) conducting population case-based surveillance, and lastly (4) strengthening the Ministry of Health (MOH)-owned national Health Management Information System (HMIS), to generate timely, valid, consistent and complete data. This FOA is part of the PEPFAR overall sustainability plan and transition of HIV/AIDS monitoring and evaluation into the primary national health care system towards alignment to the national HIV/AIDS M&E framework and achievement of one national M&E system. The FOA also supports the PEPFAR implementation of a sustainability plan and investments in public health systems, quality improvement, and public health workforce development. At the end of the project, the main expected outcomes include increased use of information for evidence-based decision making, effective health programming at the district levels, and a well-functioning Health Management Information System. All the data collection and reporting activities will emphasize maintaining patients' and participants' confidentiality by treating information that they disclose in a relationship of trust. All of the information provided by patients/participants will be kept confidential and secure in locked rooms/drawers with limited access. Any data analyses will be conducted after all personal identifying information have been removed from electronic datasets.

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to provide technical assistance (TA) to the Government of Kenya (GOK) and PEPFAR implementing partners in strengthening medical laboratory systems for diagnosis, management, and surveillance of HIV, TB and other related opportunistic diseases. Up to five grantees will be selected. Each will work in one of four specific regions (A, B, C and D) covering several counties to support all technical areas described below in each region. Except, the grantee supporting Region A will additionally support laboratory systems at National Public Health Laboratory Services and Ministry of Health (MOH) headquarters. The grantee(s) will: (1) Provide technical assistance to develop laboratory policies and systems for sample handling/processing, laboratory networking, information management, supplies management, human capacity development, biosafety, quality management systems (QMS), and monitoring and evaluation (M&E).

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to provide technical assistance (TA) to the Government of Kenya (GOK) and PEPFAR implementing partners in strengthening medical laboratory systems for diagnosis, management, and surveillance of HIV, TB and other related opportunistic diseases. Up to five grantees will be selected. Each will work in one of four specific regions (A, B, C and D) covering several counties to support all technical areas described below in each region. Except, the grantee supporting Region A will additionally support laboratory systems at National Public Health Laboratory Services and Ministry of Health (MOH) headquarters. The grantee(s) will: (1) Provide technical assistance to develop laboratory policies and systems for sample handling/processing, laboratory networking, information management, supplies management, human capacity development, biosafety, quality management systems (QMS), and monitoring and evaluation (M&E).

This project will: 1. Enhance and strengthen ongoing regional cooperation related to the creation of a shared surveillance information platform. 2. Contribute to efficiencies the small Central American countries are seeking to improve laboratory capacity by creating networks of reference laboratories. 3. Develop and implement regional guidelines for biosafety, as well as other guidelines that are appropriately developed regionally. It will strengthen the network of epidemiologists and regional epidemiological training. 4. Strengthen regional communication and the capacity of the countries of the region to respond in a coordinated manner to epidemiological and public health threats. This program addresses the issues of Health Communication; Immunization and Infectious Diseases; Public Health Infrastructure; Respiratory Diseases; and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and is in alignment with HHS/CDC performance goal(s) to protect Americans from infectious diseases by providing global health promotion, health protection and health diplomacy. Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one (or more) of the following performance goal(s) the Center for Global Health’s priority areas identified in "Protecting the Nation’s Health in an Era of Globalization: CDC’s Global Strategy for Addressing Infectious Diseases". Priority areas for this cooperative agreement include: 1) implementation of proven disease prevention and control interventions, 2) application of proven public health tools, 3) identification of potential global initiatives for disease control and, 4)public health training and capacity building.

The purpose of this cooperative agreement is: To conduct and monitor epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory-based projects, surveillance, and research of important diseases in Liberia. To incorporate the results of research activities into operational disease detection, prevention, and response or control programs in Liberia and ensure the strengthening of local workforce capacity and dissemination of findings across the region, with partners, and globally.

COPY OF Rapid Response to Ebola Viral Disease in West Africa through Strengthening of Surveillance Systems and Disruption of Chain of Transmission Interventions

The purpose of the Tanzania Malaria Surveillance and Monitoring (TMSM) Cooperative Agreement is to support the Government of Tanzania to reduce the burden of malaria and to move towards the long-term goal of malaria elimination.