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URC/CHS Projects
Health & Population
PreventAIDS, Russia
Client: United States Agency for International Development (USAID) (Prime Contractor: Population Services International)
Under PreventAIDS, URC works with Population Services International (PSI) to help Russian public sector agencies and non-governmental organizations improve access to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services needed by most-at-risk populations and to build institutional capacity to deliver high-quality services to special-risk groups.
The project’s overall goals and objectives are to: (1) increase access and demand for HIV/AIDS services among most at-risk populations and special risk groups; (2) reinforce and improve referral systems and communication among Federal and Oblast institutions and non-government organizations (NGOs), to improve access to services and strengthen the continuum of care; and (3) build institutional capacity among governmental and non-governmental organizations to develop sustainable models of service delivery.
URC works with local institutions in Improvement Collaboratives, bringing together service providers to strengthen coordination and service quality and improve capacity for behavior change communication. In September 2007, URC held a Joint Learning Session for all four project sites. The Joint Learning Session was the final project activity for Samara and Saratov Oblast sites, and teams from these sites presented their main achievements over the first 2 years of the project. These achievements included the design of a system for communication and a mechanism for cooperation between medical facilities, social services and NGOs, the design of new tools such as patient self assessment forms, the integration of case managers into AIDS Centers, new algorithms for high-risk patients, training on VCT and HIV/AIDS for health care workers, and the development of pamphlets with information about access to medical and social service for patients from high risk group for HIV. These improvements have led to increased numbers of patients receiving testing for HIV as a result of improved patient referrals.
URC continues to support Improvement Collaboratives in St. Petersburg and Orenburg with the goal of institutionalizing referral networks and increasing access for Most-At-Risk Persons (MARPs) to government and social services through close coordination with NGOs. In the project’s third year, teams in each site are working on developing communication and referral channels between government and non-governmental sectors, improving follow-up on referred clients, and increasing information on available government services among MARPs and NGOs. The St. Petersburg and Orenburg teams continue to draw on the lessons learned in the Samara and Saratov Oblast sites, adapting and testing those approaches in their facilities.
URC Services
- Involve stakeholders in the project, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Development (MOHSD), social service agencies and organizations, NGOs, clinics, and educational institutions
- Establish interdisciplinary teams and facilitate team visits
- Organize and facilitate team meetings to discuss quality improvement methods, define priorities and objectives, and develop work plans
- Facilitate learning sessions to allow teams to share experiences and lessons learned and review progress towards objectives and goals
- In partnership with PSI, train NGO staff and local service providers (including healthcare workers, psychologists, doctors, and lawyers) to provide client-friendly services to most at-risk populations and special risk groups
- Promote the development referral systems within regional and federal agencies as well as with the NGO community
Geographic Focus
- St. Petersburg (Vyborgskiy Raion, Kirovskiy Raion, and Krasnogvardeiskiy Raion)
- Orenburg City
- Samara Oblast ( Togliatti City) (2005-2007 only)
- Saratov Oblast ( Saratov, Engels, and Balakavo) (2005-2007 only)
Partners
Population Services International (Prime Contractor)
For more information about PreventAIDS Russia, contact
Simon Hiltebeitel,
Project Coordinator at
shiltebeitel@urc-chs.com
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