FY10 3rd Quarterly Report Apr – Jun 2010: Technical Assistance for HIV/AIDS Emergency Plan in Tanzania

The project is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is implemented by Family Health International (FHI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW), the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), and other stakeholders. The project's primary objective is to strengthen the capacity of the NACP to lead and coordinate the scale-up of national care and treatment services through effective policies, manpower, and management of the program. To achieve this objective, FHI has been providing technical assistance to the NACP, including support for harmonization of workplans and budgets, response to Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) queries, and coaching and on-the-job training of NACP senior management in planning under uncertainties and risk analysis. The project has also focused on maximizing the use of human resources in health, including active participation in the human resources working group (HRWG) and support for the development of a national human resources strategy. Additionally, FHI has been working to strengthen the capacity of the NACP to provide sustainable and quality comprehensive care, including support for the implementation of the National Costed Plan of Action (NCPA) for most vulnerable children (MVC) and the promotion of inclusion of MVC issues in council meeting agendas. Key highlights of the quarter include a visit by Dr. Ugo Amanyeiwe, USAID/Washington Focal Person on HBC/PP, to the Community-based Positive Prevention (CBPP) pilot, which received high praise. FHI also supported and participated in the first national Local Government Authorities (LGAs) week, during which PMORALG continued to promote implementation of the NCPA for MVC by LGAs and to advocate for inclusion of MVC issues in council meeting agendas. The project has made significant progress in strengthening the capacity of the NACP to lead and coordinate the scale-up of national care and treatment services. The NACP has strengthened its leadership and management capacity, including the return of a pediatrician with an MPH from Harvard University. Additionally, FHI has continued to provide technical assistance and mentorship to the NACP to strengthen their coordination role, including support for better integration of HIV/AIDS activities with other key reproductive health activities such as family planning. The project has also made progress in maximizing the use of human resources in health, including active participation in the HRWG and support for the development of a national human resources strategy. Furthermore, FHI has been working to strengthen the capacity of the NACP to provide sustainable and quality comprehensive care, including support for the implementation of the NCPA for MVC and the promotion of inclusion of MVC issues in council meeting agendas. In terms of implementation, the project has focused on supporting the NACP to strengthen its capacity to lead and coordinate the scale-up of national care and treatment services. This has included support for harmonization of workplans and budgets, response to GFATM queries, and coaching and on-the-job training of NACP senior management in planning under uncertainties and risk analysis. The project has also supported the development of a national human resources strategy and has worked to strengthen the capacity of the NACP to provide sustainable and quality comprehensive care. In terms of timeframes, the project has been implemented over the past quarter, with a focus on supporting the NACP to strengthen its capacity to lead and coordinate the scale-up of national care and treatment services. The project has made significant progress in this regard, including the return of a pediatrician with an MPH from Harvard University and the development of a national human resources strategy. Additionally, FHI has continued to provide technical assistance and mentorship to the NACP to strengthen their coordination role, including support for better integration of HIV/AIDS activities with other key reproductive health activities such as family planning.