Regional PLHIV Capacity Building

The project assists governments and communities to more effectively meet the needs of vulnerable populations, with the aim of increasing utilization of health services and improving health outcomes. The Quality Health Care Project is part of USAID's third objective of investing in people as part of the US Strategic Framework for Foreign Assistance. The project's work with people living with HIV (PLHIV) in May 2011 was a key focus of the Quality Health Care Project. Consultants Zoryan Kis and Scott Berry undertook a field visit to Temirtau from May 16 through 18, 2011, and facilitated the PLHIV Regional Participatory Workshop held on May 19-20, 2011, with support from Elena Kudussova, the Kazakhstan HIV Director for the Quality Health Care Project. The workshop aimed to engage PLHIV in the planning and decision-making process to improve health services for PLHIV. The Temirtau HIV service system demonstrates that establishing local HIV health service systems is achievable in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia. Through well-considered planning, design, implementation, and resourcing of HIV services, Karaganda has succeeded in forming a multiple entry point system for MARPS and PLHIV. However, the system still has continuing limitations. The effectiveness of Karaganda's HIV service is due to cooperation and regular communication between service providers and a network of non-government, community-based organizations. This cooperation supports the meeting of clients' needs. The use of multidisciplinary teams in cross-sector collaboration appears to be a core strength of the HIV service system in Karaganda, supporting both HIV testing and the retention of PLHIV within the health care service system. The Karaganda AIDS Center reports an increased collaboration with TB Centers and specialists. During the field visit, investigators observed that PLHIV clinical services are delivered in a polyclinic in Temirtau in collaboration with the local AIDS Center, leading to a decrease in mortality amongst PLHIV who receive care. The PLHIV Regional Participatory Workshop identified several key issues that need support from the Quality Health Care Project. These include insufficient clinical staff to meet demand, intensity of MARP-targeted services, difficulties when PLHIV seek clinical help outside the HIV service network, HIV testing algorithm, and insufficient CD4 and viral load tests available, resulting in long waiting times. The workshop also highlighted the importance of community-based response and the need for more effective collaboration between service providers and community-based organizations. The Quality Health Care Project plans to follow up on the recommendations and suggestions made during the workshop. The project aims to strengthen the HIV service system in Temirtau and improve health services for PLHIV. The project will work closely with local stakeholders, including service providers, community-based organizations, and PLHIV, to implement the recommendations and suggestions made during the workshop.