The HIV/AIDS Prevention Treatment and Care for Rwanda
Abstract
Jhpiego, a nonprofit organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins University, is pleased to offer the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) this concept note detailing a partnership with the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) to strengthen voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) services for HIV prevention within the RDF health services to reduce the number of new HIV infections and other sexually transmitted diseases among military members, their families and civilian communities in priority and scale-up districts. Jhpiego will work in close collaboration with the DOD, RDF and prevention and care and treatment implementers in Rwanda funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Jhpiego will draw on its extensive experience in Rwanda, its deep understanding of the RDF organization structure, and its current successful DOD-funded project to provide exceptional leadership and technical expertise. Jhpiego is one of only a few international organizations with the knowledge and experience needed to build local capacity in VMMC and enhance health service capacity to rapidly scale up VMMC, while ensuring safety and quality. Jhpiego has delivered VMMC training to providers and trainers from 12 of the 14 PEPFAR priority countries, and, as PEPFAR’s largest VMMC implementing partner, Jhpiego has conducted more than 2.4 million VMMCs globally (as of December 2016). Since 2009, Jhpiego has supported 190,131 safe circumcisions in Rwanda for RDF members, their families and civilian communities. Jhpiego offers DOD a strong platform in-country to successfully implement this project through the following objectives: 1. Increase the scale of the RDF VMMC program in RDF sites and PEPFAR priority districts 2. Ensure that the RDF is following all national guidelines for conducting VMMC services 3. Increase the capacity of the RDF health care providers to deliver safe VMMC services 4. Strengthen collaboration and coordination with PEPFAR and DOD partners, RDF, DOD and national stakeholders to ensure ever-increasing high VMMC coverage in priority and scale- up districts 5. Enhance the capacity of the RDF staff to demonstrate the transition of programmatic capabilities and ensure sustainability and ownership of the VMMC program The project will support 10 RDF sites (in scale-up districts) and 17 Ministry of Health VMMC sites (in priority districts). These efforts will reach at least 36,790 individuals (2,000 soldiers and 34,790 civilians) and provide a comprehensive package of VMMC services in the first project year (additional targets to be determined in subsequent years). The proposed project will accelerate RDF targets for reducing the incidence of HIV infection for RDF members, their families and other target populations in scale-up districts. Additionally, it will strengthen the RDF’s capacity across activities and technical areas to successfully implement VMMC services by the end of the project. Overall, the project will contribute to the greater national HIV prevention strategy and lead to improved health outcomes and a healthier population.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 12, 2018
- Source ID
- N002441710042
Entities
People
- Eugene Rugwizangoga
Organizations
- United States Navy