HIV, AIDS & Tuberculosis
Strengthening human resources for health is critical in the fight against HIV/AIDS, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where health worker shortages and the impact of AIDS threaten the ability of national health systems to function. A resurgence of tuberculosis, a common HIV co-infection, is making the situation worse in many developing countries.
IntraHealth is collaborating with health sector leaders and communities to increase access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care services in countries with high prevalence and overburdened health systems—Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and Tanzania. In Southern Sudan, we are working to curb the spread of HIV through an innovative program with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. IntraHealth also leads major initiatives in Ethiopia and Rwanda to increase the accessibility and use of comprehensive prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services. In addition, we are improving the capacity of health workforces in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama to deliver comprehensive treatment and care for HIV/AIDS, as well as for TB co-infection.
Our key approaches include:
- Strengthening the performance of health care providers in HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and related services
- Assisting countries in long-term workforce planning and policy development
- Designing strategies to rapidly recruit and deploy health workers to deliver HIV/AIDS services
- Scaling-up PMTCT and voluntary counseling and testing services
- Increasing male involvement in PMTCT programs, resulting in increased HIV testing
- Supporting decentralized services
- Mobilizing ART services for hard-to-reach populations
- Task shifting among health workers, supported by policy, to increase access to services
- Developing Mothers’ Support Groups for HIV-positive women
- Addressing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV
- Improving workplace safety to protect health workers against HIV and other blood-borne risks
- Integrating HIV/AIDS services with other key services, including family planning and tuberculosis co-infection.