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USAID to step up ‘mother to child’ HIV prevention

Apr 01, 2009 News

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s draft country plan with Guyana for 2009 – 2013 states that there will be continued efforts in the Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) under the HIV/AIDS initiatives.
The document says that the aim is to provide universal access to PMTCT services.
It added that to reach this goal, remote and difficult-access geographic areas will be given special attention.
In addition to these challenges, the document states, the PMTCT programme will focus on improving the service quality and on overcoming specific programmatic challenges such as baby testing and appropriate feeding practices, pregnant women continuity of their participation in the programme, partners’ involvement and others.
According to the strategy, this expansion will begin in areas with adequate services and support systems.
“As PMTCT services continue to expand, site monitoring will be strengthened to ensure that they are functioning at the appropriate level.
Another important focus of USAID’s PMTCT activities will link PMTCT services to partner testing.”
This, it added, will require trained staff and capacity to extend testing services to family members. Strengthening referrals to other services, such as infant feeding practices, oral dehydration, malaria control, family planning, and other public health services, will continue to be pursued.
“Patient tracking will also help to ensure that women complete the programme and access other health services as needed.
“Follow-up for mothers through to labour and delivery and on to treatment will remain the responsibility of the Ministry of Health and its community-based partners.
“This capacity will be institutionalised and strengthened. USAID will support the provision of technical assistance to update PMTCT protocols.
“An increase in the number of HIV+ pregnant women engaged in the program until delivery will be achieved through the strengthening of outreach to partners, and the deployment of a peer counselor/educator component.”
The strategy also makes provisions for adolescent and youth services. It says that adolescent and youth prevention programs currently implemented by NGOs under USAID’s Abstinence and Be Faithful (A&B) initiative will not be part of the new USAID strategy.
However, the Agency will continue to target youth through Civil Society Organization (CSO) and CBO prevention activities.
In addition, USAID will encourage and assist any PEPFAR and Centre for Disease Control (CDC) effort to increase access to adolescent and youth-friendly services.
Also, interventions targeting most at-risk-populations will continue to be carried out through NGOs.
This will involve services promoting behaviour change, including increased use of HIV counseling and testing, appropriate referrals for care and treatment, partner management, control of substances and, consistent and correct condom use.
“Given that alcohol misuse plays a critical role in HIV risk behaviour and HIV transmission, and also as a factor in non-adherence to ARV medication, USAID will place emphasis on this area in our programme.”
Services will also be provided for PLWHA and their partners and families. USAID will continue to collaborate with the private sector to facilitate an efficient supply chain of branded condoms to non-traditional outlets, access to free condoms, and appropriate social marketing.

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