Waste Management Strategies for HIV Viral Load and Early Infant Diagnosis

Sponsors: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Date: Tuesday, 11 December 2018
Time: 7:00-8:30
Location: Niger/Enugu

No invitations necessary; open to all conference registrants

TARGET AUDIENCE:

  • Waste management companies, associations, and experts
  • Suppliers and manufacturers of VL testing platforms, supplies, and reagents
  • Ministries of Health
  • Government and non-governmental organizations
  • Implementing partners
  • Biosafety and Infection Prevention and Control Professionals
  • Laboratorians and Healthcare Workers
  • Scientists
  • Clinicians

SEMINAR DESCRIPTION:
Accurate, reliable and timely HIV viral load (VL) and Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) test results are essential for the treatment and management of HIV/AIDS. By 2020, more than 30 million HIV VL tests will be performed globally. HIV VL scale-up initiatives have resulted in growing waste management (WM) challenges in many laboratories and health facilities, especially those in low-income and middle-income countries. These challenges include the lack of country specific WM regulations and guidelines, limited financial and human resources, lack of technological and infrastructural advancement, and a shortage of local WM technical expertise.

There is needed guidance on the correct methods for the disposal of solid and liquid waste generated from VL conventional testing platforms and methodologies, including point of care (POC) devices. For example, Guanidinium thiocyanate (GTC) is a corrosive compound used in nucleic acid extraction and found in VL waste, which requires specialized disposal. However, many countries are unable to adequately dispose of this compound due to the aforementioned challenges.

These challenges continue to pose significant threats to public health and the environment. This session will bring together key WM stakeholders, partners, and experts to discuss and exchange ideas on how best to manage this waste, while bringing awareness to this growing WM issue. More specifically, it will provide a forum to discuss sustainable waste management methods and technologies, country specific WM challenges and barriers, and a way forward.

SESSION LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Understand the hazards associated with the improper management of solid and liquid waste generated by the VL and EID testing diagnosis cascade.
  • Explore safer, practical, and sustainable alternatives for the management of waste containing Guanidinium thiocyanate (GTC) and other chemical compounds and by products.
  • Discuss best waste management practices, treatment technologies, and solutions for VL and EID testing
  • Understand the challenges and barriers associated with VL and EID testing waste management

Presenters:

  • Thomas Stevens, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, International Laboratory Branch