HIV/AIDS рrevention
Availability of a high standard of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support nationwide.
Challenges
UNICEF is working with the Government of Uzbekistan to ensure the availability of a high standard of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support nationwide. The agency supports the inclusion of the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) as a key component in MCH services, the assurance of children’s access to high quality HIV/AIDS treatment, and the improvement of referral services and primary health care.
Along with other UN agencies, UNICEF supports the update of normative documents within the field of HIV/AIDS, such as clinical protocols and guidelines.
In collaboration with the government, UNICEF has promoted the creation and use of youth-friendly health services designed to meet the needs of most-at-risk adolescents. Support is also provided in establishing and operating specialised Day Care Centres in six regions of Uzbekistan, with the aim to improve the provision of psychosocial support to children living with HIV/AIDS and their families.
Solution
- UNICEF supported the capacity development of GP doctors regarding HIV/ Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI).The module has been included into pre-service medical education curricula;
- A team of national trainers on paediatric AIDS management has been established to help paediatricians deliver treatment and care services for children with HIV, and promote early diagnosis and rapid access to treatment;
- A critical mass of health professionals in the MCH sector has built on the Integration of PMTCT (Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission) into Effective Perinatal Care (EPC), thus enabling them to provide quality PMTCT services;
- The YFHS (Youth Friendly Health Services) concept has been integrated into the medical curriculum, with the aim to increase the uptake of voluntary counselling, treatment and care services regarding HIV and AIDS among most-at-risk adolescents;
- Over 3,000 HIV positive-children and their families have received psycho-social assistance through the network of seven Day Care Centres supported by UNICEF.
Resources
- Improve the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and improve the quality of paediatric AIDS services, by further integrating them into maternal and child health services and Medical education curricula;
- Promote HIV prevention among Adolescents and Young People, through the promotion of safe behaviour practices;
- Support the government and all partners to reduce stigma and discrimination against HIV-positive people, and ensure they are integrated into society;
- Increase access to health, protection and psychosocial services for HIV-affected children and families through Day Care Centres;
- Promote the innovative Dry Blood Spot methodology for Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV among newborn babies.