Military Specific HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Treatment Program for Gabon
Abstract
According to UNAIDS, in 2016 Gabon’s HIV/AIDS prevalence rate among adults aged 15 to 49 years was 4.2% [3.6 - 4.9]. The prevalence rate had significant gender disparities: among women it was 6.4% [5.5 - 7.5], while among men it was 2.3% [1.7 - 2.6]. Medical Care Development International (MCDI), a US-based Private Voluntary Organization (PVO), and its local sub-recipient, Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), will implement a 4-year, $1.12 million Project to strengthen the Gabonese military’s capacity to deliver high-quality HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, care and treatment services to its members, their families, and surrounding communities. The Project’s objectives are: (i) 90% of all persons who receive care in military facilities and who are living with HIV know their HIV status; (ii) 90% of all persons who receive care in military facilities living with HIV/AIDS are enrolled in GDSF-supported care and treatment activities; and, (iii) 90% of all persons who receive care in military facilities who are enrolled in HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs have suppressed viral loads. The Project’s technical approach in Gabon is to strengthen the capacities of the Military Program for the Fight against AIDS (PMLS), its 10 HIV/AIDS Cells, and health providers in 7 military health facilities and 5 military laboratories to provide a continuum of quality HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, care and treatment and laboratory services. The Project will implement the following activities with PMLS: • Assessments of the GDSF capacity in HIV/AIDS prevention and testing, HIV/AIDS care and treatment, HIV/AIDS laboratories, clinical data management and monitoring, and management of HIV/AIDS commodities; • Prevention and testing services (HVOP, HVCT) with a focus on index case testing, peer outreach in military “hot spots” and HIV testing in TB services. • Care and treatment services (HTXS) with focus on same-day ART registration for HIV+ patients, monitoring of viral loads and enhanced adherence to ART. • Updating of GDSF policies, protocols and operational materials (related to training, supervision and to a more limited extent, behavior change communication (BCC)) on the above topics; • Training of trainers (TOT) and supervisors on the above topics; • Training and supportive supervision of frontline military health workers on prevention and testing, care and treatment; • Use of peers to educate military personnel and to ensure patient compliance to antiretroviral therapy (ART); • Developing linkages between health providers and facilities that will facilitate the flow of patients, laboratory samples and information, i.e. continuum of care; • Design, pilot test and roll out innovative approaches to ensure patient adherence to ART treatment. In addition, the Project will also include activities with the military of Sao Tome and Principe. For Year 1 (ending in September 2019), these activities include the procurement of 20,000 male condoms, 1,500 HIV RDTs, 2,000 flyers/leaflets in Portuguese, and small laboratory supplies. MCDI will be the Project’s technical lead for HIV/AIDS care and treatment, supply chain management and clinical monitoring, and data management. MCDI’s sub-recipient CIRMF will lead the Project’s activities on prevention, testing and laboratory strengthening. During Year 1 (until September 2019), MCDI will implement the Project through a two-person Field Team, a Project Director (Dr. Martin Mbavu) and a Program, Finance and Administration Officer (Ms. Hélène Ada), based at PMLS’ office in Libreville. A locally-hired Clinician (Medical Doctor), with expertise in HIV/AIDS, will also be employed as a field-based consultant during Year 1. The Field Team will work in close collaboration and consultation with the Coordinator of the PMLS in the planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of all Project activities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 03, 2019
- Source ID
- N002441910012
Entities
People
- Julie Niemczura De Carvalho
Organizations
- United States Department of Defense