Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program: Military Specific HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care Treatment Program for PEPFAR

Abstract

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) is proposing to partner with the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) to provide HIV prevention, care and treatment services to military personnel, their family members and those civilians that live in communities around existing RDF health care facilities. Consistent with Rwanda’s Third Health Sector Strategic Plan 2012-2018 and the National HIV Strategic Plan 2013-2018 that emphasize the prevention of HIV/AIDS and STI’s by reducing new HIV infections, ensuring access to treatment for vulnerable groups and people living with HIV, as well as strengthening the quality management of HIV treatment and care, CDU’s partnership with the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) expects to achieve two primary goals: 1) improve HIV prevention services among RDF personnel, family, and community members, ensuring in-country ownership and sustainability; and 2) improve the quality, availability and sustainability of HIV treatment and care options for RDF personnel, their family members and surrounding communities. Implementation of these comprehensive services is also expected to reduce the number of new HIV infections and other sexually transmitted diseases among these same groups of individuals served. The proposal also strengthens the RDF’s ability to operationalize and conduct research to enable evidence based practice and planning. Proposed activities include providing a comprehensive package of HIV prevention, treatment and care services at Rwanda Military Hospital in the capital city of Kigali, at 6 Brigade Based Clinics spread strategically throughout Rwanda, and through a Mobile Treatment Clinic that serves HIV+ RDF personnel stationed in remote, hard to reach areas of the country. Comprehensive services include providing HIV testing with results and counseling, integrating PMTCT services and HIV care for both the mother and newborn, training 90 health care providers in psychosocial care for children and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS that assist adolescents in transitioning to adult care at all RDF sites, and training 10 health service providers from all RDF sites on data collection, analysis, use and reporting according to the national HMIS guidelines. Additional activities include counseling and testing services for women, along with their soldier or civilian partners; prevention activities that will reduce HIV transmission, including Anti-AIDS Clubs throughout Rwanda; support to all RDF laboratories that improves lab infrastructure and achieves laboratory accreditation; and monitoring and routine evaluation of all services. All activities will be conducted with a human resource development approach that builds capacity and country ownership.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Aug 08, 2016
Source ID
N002441510035

Entities

People

  • Charles Hillard

Organizations

  • United States Navy

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Medical or Health Care Field.
  • Mental Health of Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Risk Factors, Prevalence, Symptoms, and Treatment.