AIDSTAR-Two Project Trip Report – Honduras

The assessment aimed to identify the country's capacity to assume responsibility for HIV services, particularly for men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender individuals, female sex workers (FSW), and Garifuna populations, which are currently financed by the Global Fund, USAID, and other donors. The assessment involved gathering and reviewing relevant documents, including the National Strategy for Integrated STI/HIV/AIDS Services and the MEGAS report. The assessment team also conducted key informant interviews and focus groups with staff from the Ministry of Health (MOH), NGOs, donors, and the private sector. A total of 86 people participated in the assessment, including representatives from the MOH, NGOs, donors, and the private sector. The assessment team met with the interagency team, known as the Equipo Conductor, to review and incorporate suggestions on the protocol, instruments, agenda, and list of key informants to interview. The team also conducted a larger stakeholder meeting to validate the findings, which was attended by 34 participants from the MOH, NGOs, donors, and the private sector. The participants were receptive to the findings and recommendations, and their input was incorporated into the draft report. The assessment identified the need to scale up country ownership for the sustainability of HIV services, given the reduction in donor funding. The assessment team recommended developing a transition plan to support the MOH and other host country stakeholders in assuming responsibility for HIV services. The team also noted the interest of UNAIDS in assisting the MOH to update the national HIV strategic plan and develop a sustainability plan for HIV prevention, care, and treatment services. The assessment team met with Dr. Ritza Avilez from USAID to discuss the proposed work of UNAIDS and other concerns related to duplicating efforts. Dr. Avilez informed the team that some activities recommended for the transition plan were already moving forward through the pilot test of the National Strategy for Integrated STI/HIV/AIDS Services and the decentralized contracts issued with NGOs to provide prevention services to key populations. The assessment team identified several key populations, including MSM, transgender individuals, FSW, and Garifuna populations, which are currently financed by the Global Fund, USAID, and other donors. The team also noted the importance of developing a transition plan to support the MOH and other host country stakeholders in assuming responsibility for HIV services. The team recommended that the MOH and other stakeholders work together to develop a sustainability plan for HIV prevention, care, and treatment services. The assessment team consisted of Lourdes de la Peza, Yadira Almodóvar-Díaz, Héctor Colindres, and Iliana Guevara, who traveled to Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, and Roatán, Honduras, from April 8-26, 2013. The team's purpose was to conduct an assessment of the technical, financial, and political capacity of Honduras to assume HIV services, with an emphasis on prevention for key populations.