HIV and AIDS Programme
The purpose of the HIV and AIDS Programme is to reduce the vulnerability to and impact of HIV and AIDS among the people most at risk in Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. There is a special focus on women and children through a selection of high impact interventions for a low prevalence HIV epidemic, including the integration of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services in maternal and child health services, and prevention initiatives for most at risk and especially vulnerable adolescents and youth. The programme works with regional Ministries of Health in Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, UN agencies and programmes (UNFPA and UNAIDS) and regional partners such as the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Kiribati Family Health Association, Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA), Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC), Wan Smol Bag, World Vision (Vanuatu), Fiji Network of Positive People (FJN+), Fiji Association of Social Workers, Pacific Islands Counseling Association (Fiji); Men Fiji, and Tuvalu Red Cross Association and Tuvalu Family Health Association. Looking Back In 2009, the HIV and AIDS Programme engaged with a wide range of high level partners, hence influencing resources, advocating for interventions known to work elsewhere, and supporting more quality implementation of activities. The Programme also collected strategic information which was used as initial findings to monitor the impacts of program implementation. Results of this level of regional engagement have been: Strengthened Partnerships: Partnerships with regional agencies were strengthened through active participation in the implementation of activities. For instance, UNICEF as one of the lead agencies and a member of the technical working group implementing the Pacific Regional HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (PRISP 2), contributed to the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) by providing technical assistance to countries and other partners who engage in PMTCT activities. Similarly, UNICEF, as a co-lead agency for HIV prevention among young people, continued (alongside UNFPA and SPC) to support the Adolescent Health Development Programme (AHD), advocating for inclusion of targeted interventions for most at risk adolescents and youth, and especially vulnerable adolescents and youth. In November religious leaders gathered to celebrate UNICEF’s first “World Day of Prayer and Action for Children.” The President of Fiji and religious leaders from Fiji and the Pacific attended to discuss and share ideas on how to best use their standings in society to prevent HIV and AIDS. With UNICEF being a neutral organisation, the leaders endorsed UNICEF as the convener of such gatherings. Religious leaders in the Pacific have now agreed to advocate and to support efforts of HIV prevention for adolescents and youth, as well as women and men. Targeted Evidence-Based Interventions: UNICEF persuaded UNFPA, WHO and four PICs to accept targeted interventions such as the for Most At Risk Adolescents (MARA) and Especially Vulnerable Adolescents (EVA). This resulted a sharpened focus on adolescents and youth most in need of HIV prevention. As a result, other PICs have considered reviewing their interventions, and eight countries are in the process of reviewing existing data in their countries. The Programme also to integrated PMTCT services in health facilities with high numbers of pregnant women accessing antenatal services, as well as in hospitals with areas serving women identified to have high risk behaviours for HIV. Engagement and Participation in Monitoring of Regional HIV and AIDS Data: The Programme has engaged in all regional processes of surveillance and monitoring of HIV and AIDS data, as well as factors contributing to it. Currently UNICEF manages the UN joint monitoring project, which will support the establishment of Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks in several PICs for the next three years. UNICEF has also contributed to data gathering and in-country data validation, as part of reporting processes for the Universal Access report, and PMTCT report card, which is a joint activity by UNICEF, WHO and UNAIDS. Moving Forward In 2010 a number of priorities are planned. • The HIV and AIDS Programme is increasing its focus on the prevention of HIV among most at risk adolescents, youth, women and their partners, ensuring that they engage in HIV-risk reduction behaviours in Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. UNICEF has supported Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to define and map out where most at risk populations are, and to understand factors which increase their risks and vulnerability to HIV infection. In 2010, UNICEF will assist Fiji and Tuvalu to conduct the same, while Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Kiribati will select interventions which have a high impact in prevention of HIV and other STI. These interventions will involve youth participation and most of the interventions will be implemented through the joint SPC-UNFPA-UNICEF AHD Programme. • The HIV and AIDS Programme intends on ensuring that current hospitals with Integrated PMTCT services provide quality services. Hence, support will be directed towards logistics supply, establishing supervision mechanisms and quality assurance, while health facilities with high patient volumes, or health facilities which have most at risk populations in their areas, will still be supported to integrate PMTCT services. Furthermore, the Programme will support more linkages with reproductive health. • Introduction of rapid HIV testing will be supported to facilitate an increase in service demand, while dialogue with the Government of Fiji will be undertaken on the possibility of support to early diagnosis of exposed children, and care of affected children. • Countries will be supported to implement communication activities, leading to more use of HIV prevention services, and other behaviour changes in relation to HIV and STI. • The HIV and AIDS Programme will monitor the impact of global economic crisis on HIV and AIDS in the PICs and advocate for early and appropriate interventions. In partnership with UNAIDS and other stakeholders, the Programme is assessing how the global economic crises might intensify the vulnerabilities for new HIV infections and their impacts. Results will be shared in the Pacific Conference on the Human Face of the Global Economic Crisis in February 2010, promoting for earlier, HIV and AIDS-sensitive social protection measures.
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