Deir Eimar is one of 17 municipalities that were awarded grantsduring the first round of BALADI project municipal applications’ solicitation in 2013. As part of this project, USAID-funded BALADI Project and RMF are supporting the establishment of a medical laboratory for blood testing in Deir Eimar, Minieh-Dinnieh district.

A supplier explaining mode of operation of the newly procured blood centrifuge to Deir Eimar technician
The project aims at expanding the services provided to disadvantaged people at the existing municipality health clinic (located within the municipal building premises) where current operations are hindered by the absence of blood testing laboratories in the Deir Eimar and at least 10 surrounding villages. Because of this, doctors at the clinic are obliged to send the patients’ blood samples for analysis to another laboratory in Tripoli, 8 km away. According to the Deir Eimar clinic medical records, the total number of patients who required blood testing from 2009 to date reached 2,460 belonging to different age groups. The availability of this service is considered essential in this area especially with the presence of 3,810 Syrian refugees in Deir Eimar. The proposed project will help secure additional medical services to beneficiaries and is expected to benefit 600 persons in the first year and an additional 1,000 persons in the second year of operation.
During July 2014, RMF/BALADI team procured the following equipment as part of their in-kind assistance to the municipality including Hematology, Biochemistry, Electrolytes, Immunoassay, Microscope, Urine Centrifuge, Blood Centrifuge, Incubator (Aerobic Culture), Incubator (Anaerobic Culture), Incubator (Fungi), Agitator, Rotator/Vortex (small machine fitted with a motor and used for the mixing of the liquids in centrifuge, tubes, test tubes and beakers), three specialized micropipettes, one UPS, one desktop computer/printer and three refrigerators. In addition to equipping the rooms with working tables/lockers/sinks/etc. and as part of their contribution, the Municipality of Deir Eimar will purchase all required primary medical materials to ensure proper operation of the laboratory. A qualified team is already put in place to operate the laboratory.

Training on “The Equipment: Verification & Maintenance” held at Deir Eimar municipality on June 19, 2014
RMF/BALADI team also started providing technical support to the staff in order to ensure proper operation of the laboratory. In this context, one training entitled “The Equipment: Verification and Maintenance” was delivered by RMF/BALADI Medical Consultant on June 19, 2014. The training provided the participants with the method of the validation of the equipment, installation steps, trouble shooting, service repair, handling defective equipment, guidance for equipment maintenance, inventory control and labeling. The participants were then engaged in practical exercises and discussion on the management and operation of the laboratory. Four persons from the lab staff and municipality representative (the mayor, the lab employees and the accountant) benefited from the training. RMF/BALADI Medical Consultant will be also delivering training on the following topics: setting policies and procedures for the lab, occupational health safety, infection control, quality management, and document control. Upcoming trainings will be also provided by RMF/BALADI subgrantee BIAT in HR, bookkeeping, accounting, strategic planning including financial planning and budgeting, cost accounting, and stock management.