IntraHealth's HIV Work in Southern Sudan Advances

Attendees at a prison guard workshop

Last year, IntraHealth began the project HIV Prevention for Other Uniformed Forces in Southern Sudan. Building upon IntraHealth’s successes with the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), this UN-supported project was designed to enlist other non-military uniformed cadres—police, prisons, wildlife and fire brigade officials—in the effort to prevent the spread of HIV in Southern Sudan. In the last six months, the project opened two counseling and testing (C&T) centers, trained six C&T counselors and 23 HIV educators and focal persons, and reached 1180 people with information about HIV through outreach sessions.

The project opened C&T centers at the police hospital and prison clinic, with several IntraHealth-trained staff providing C&T as well as test results. Since these centers opened, 151 clients have been tested; those who tested positive for HIV were referred to the Bilfam Anti-retroviral Therapy Clinic for treatment. Another C&T center is under development for the wildlife force, with two members of the wildlife service trained to staff the center when it opens. A mobile testing unit is also being developed for members of these cadres who work far from the new C&T centers.

This March the project conducted a performance assessment of the HIV educators and focal persons. Based on IntraHealth’s Learning for Performance manual, this assessment showed that 20 of the 23 HIV educators trained were actively involved in conducting HIV awareness campaigns and sensitization of commanders on HIV/AIDS. Also, the educators and focal persons were able to respond accurately to questions asked during their outreach sessions and workshops.

The HIV educators and focal persons trained and supported through this project facilitated three sensitization workshops on HIV for 72 junior and mid-level commanders from the prisons, fire brigade and police forces. SPLA HIV educators and focal persons provided mentorship to their counterparts of the uniformed forces during these workshops.  The participants learned the basic facts about HIV and the role of commanders in HIV response in their units.

The program’s next goals include:

  • Opening the wildlife force’s C&T center
  • Working with senior commanders to develop a draft HIV workplace policy for the uniformed services
  • Developing and printing  information education and communication materials
  • Expanding activities for the fire brigade force.