DHAPP-SSPDF Partnership for Sustainable HIV Epidemic Control
Abstract
The South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) HIV Secretariat was established in 2006 in Juba after the South Sudan military leadership recognized the potential national security threat the epidemic posed to human lives. The Secretariat is mandated to plan, develop, and implement quality HIV prevention, care, treatment, support, and impact mitigation services for military personnel, their families, and host communities. Even with the challenges around poor infrastructure and human resources, the Secretariat has demonstrated resilience in this tough environment. There is still great unmet need for HIV services among the military population to achieve epidemic control. Working in close collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense HIV Prevention Program (DHAPP), the national program and the PEPFAR in-country team, RTI International aims to strengthen the capacity of the SSPDF HIV Secretariat to improve their HIV care and treatment program and reduce the number of new HIV infections among members of the SSPDF, their families, and the civilian communities served by SSPDF health facilities. The specific objectives of the project are to work in coordination with the SSPDF and DHAPP to: Strengthen HIV prevention through SSPDF-led demand creation among soldiers and their dependents for improved uptake and utilization of HIV services Provide integrated, quality, and patient-centered HIV care, treatment, and support services to all HIV-infected individuals Strengthen the health and community systems for effective program implementation environment Working in close collaboration with the SSPDF HIV Secretariat leadership and DHAPP team, RTI will meet these objectives through the following key activities: Partner with the SSSPDF to support the provision of client-centered, quality HIV care and treatment services at SSPDF antiretroviral treatment facilities, including retention activities Support SSPDF to provide quality Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision services Support SSPDF program case identification efforts through high-yield testing modalities, with quality improvement/quality assurance Strengthen TB/HIV program linkage and collaboration activities Strengthen pediatric care and treatment for improved outcomes Strengthen SSPDF data management systems to accurately document and report program performance while safeguarding patient information Support quarterly joint site supervision activities for site-level reviews and develop performance improvement plans Provide ongoing training for 15-20 SSPDF health providers in provider-initiated testing and counseling and index testing Maintain a clinical team (manager and a supervisor) who will provide technical oversight in the quality improvement activities (e.g., retention) of the SSPDF’s HIV Care and Treatment program Maintain a local Project Management team who will manage day-to-day project operations and liaise between the SSPDF HIV Secretariat and other partners Support the SSPDF HIV Secretariat with basic operating expenses (internet, fuel for generator, vehicle maintenance) through zero-cash policy
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 08, 2021
- Source ID
- N002442110002
Entities
People
- Lauren Courtney
Organizations
- RTI International
- United States Navy