Increment coverage of HIV/AIDS services: “ART Program”

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Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC) through ART program has conducted a 3 days program review and retreat in Kigamboni from 6th to 8th November 2013 to reflect the performance of the program for the year of 2012/13 and put into place strategies for great achievement during implementation of the just started year 2013/14 program cycle.
 
In this meeting it was revealed that during the year of 2012/13, program has successful increasing coverage of HIV/AIDS services by 37% which resulted into an increased number of eligible clients started ART including children and pregnant women. For smooth services delivery the program disbursed funds to support HIV/AIDS services delivery in the supported Districts.
 
It has also provided clinical/lab equipment, reagents and OI drugs support. In addition the program support establishment of electronic data base in the paper based facilities as well as infrastructure improvement.
 
The program also continues to support strengthening of laboratory services through supporting preventive maintenance of 11 CD4 Machines in Mwanza and Rorya, also supported two hospitals on SLMTA accreditation process. For creating a platform for Health Community Workers to share best practices, lesson learned in HIV/AIDS services delivery and to strategies on encountered challenges (including both EPICOR financial package operation and critical shortage of HIV commodities), and the program carried out Continuous Quality Improvement and supply chain management symposium.
 
Furthermore, the program implemented Back to Care Initiative which was launched by Mwanza RC Eng. Evarist Ndikilo on 1st August 2013. The initiative aiming at returning back to care lost to follow-up clients. Because of this initiative 1170 clients were tracked by using both volunteers and innovative mobile technology and return to care.
 
However the program managed to spearhead roll-out plan of Option B plus PMTCT services in Mwanza region in collaboration with RHMT and CHMTs to achieve the national elimination of mother to Child Transmission goal by 2015. The program support the region to develop roll-out plan as well as training of 180 HCWs and transportation of recommended drug (TLE) and reporting tools to the facilities.
 
CSSC through ART program is a key implementing partner for Care and Treatment/PMTCT services in Mwanza Region and Rorya District under PEPFAR support through CDC. The funding mechanism which program received from CDC is aiming at “engaging Local indigenous Partners to increase Local Capacity and Sustainability of services”.  In Mwanza and Rorya District the program is supporting 79 Care and Treatment Clinics (CTCs) and 312 PMTCT sites in close collaboration with respective RHMTs, CHMTs and other partners in facilitating access of community to Quality HIV service delivery.
 
The program is focusing on the following areas:-

• Strengthen Regional/Districts systems in overseeing HIV/AIDS services at District/Regional levels through attachment (i.e. Mwanza RHMT), linkage to training opportunities and joint visits with R/CHMTS & District mentors.
• Financial/grants Management through Trainings, mentorship etc.
• Quality HIV services at site level
• Financial support on Quarterly basis to the site level
• Technical Assistance to the supported sites/District through onsite mentorship & supportive supervision.
• OI drugs, Test kits, Equipment and reagent support.