EDITORIAL

ISSUE 5 October 2016 Newsletter

Welcome to the July- protection training that support in two highlands September round up from was run in Western provinces and Morobe to FHI 360 PNG. This edition Highlands province and strengthen health systems focuses on some of the West Sepik province. at service delivery level. positive results that have been achieved during this In HIV response, the im- We are looking forward quarter. plementation of to another busy quarter, continuum of prevention working successfully with FHI 360 has witnessed to care and treatment our dedicated partners great success in its project (COPCT) and and excellent focusing on gender and implementation of the implementing gender based violence UNAIDS ambitious organizations. called Komuniti Lukautim 90-90-90 treatment Ol Meri (KLOM). Project models have seen Warm wishes, interventions expansion into more resulted in significant provinces in PNG. In this impact, changing the issue we take a look at behaviour of communities how viral load testing has in its target sites. Covered taken off in . Daniel Tesfaye in this issue, is a report on And we will also see how FHI 360 PNG Country recent child FHI 360 provided technical Director

IN THIS ISSUE

Expansion of viral load services...... 2 Contact details Quality data improvements...... 3 Further funding for Strongim Hauslain...... 4 FHI 360 Papua New Guinea Country office Barefoot beach run...... 5 PO Box 447 Waigani Child protection training...... 6 Unit 3, Allotment 33, Section 38 Steamships Com- Local organizations learn about donor funding...... 7 pound Phone: 323 0966 Visitors...... 7 Mobile: 72014401 Meet the team...... 8 www.fhi360.org HIV/AIDS

Expansion of viral load services in Port Moresby

FHI 360 PNG has been instrumental in the scaling up of viral load services in two clinics, Begabari and Koki, as well as Heduru clinic, which had initially piloted the model for viral load service delivery in Port Moresby General Hospital. Reports from Heduru clinic, from In order for the scale up of the services September 2013–August 2015, show to happen, a technical sub-working that 800 whole blood samples were group that focuses on viral load was collected to monitor whether the formed, which FHI 360 has been a part amount of HIV virus was high or low in of. As well as piloting the new service, their blood. clinicians, adherence counselors and laboratorians have received viral load The clinic is located within walking training. Previously healthcare workers distance of the Central Public Health had no experience in collecting viral load Laboratory (CPHL). Blood samples have samples so the training, mentoring and to reach the laboratory within six hours coaching has been essential for them to or the sample has to be discarded, so be able to deliver a quality service. being located so close is a major benefit. Viral load services have also been scaled From the pilot at Heduru, valuable up at Koki clinic and Begabari clinic. experience and lessons have been Begabari clinic and Heduru clinic will learnt. Initially the extra testing was be collecting whole blood samples and seen as more workload for healthcare sending them to CPHL on a daily basis. workers, but through team work and Koki clinic has an on-site, mini good coordination this thinking has laboratory allowing it to send plasma disappeared. By having the patient for samples to the CPHL on a weekly basis. viral load collection at the same time Since scale up at these sites in as other blood samples, all samples can mid-August, Begabari clinic has collected both be transported at the same time to and transported 91 viral load whole the laboratory so it is no longer blood samples to CPHL, while Koki clinic perceived as an additional burden. processed 44 samples | Vanessa Kapus

2 Quality data to improve HIV and disease programmes in PNG

The National Department of Health (NDoH), with the support from developing partners, is continuously improving the availability of quality health data and promoting the use of health information to improve between, and discuss types of study programmatic intervention to address designs in research and public health public health issues. FHI 360 in programme evaluation; compute and collaboration with CDC and WHO interpret measures of association; organized five days Research and understand different types of Surveillance training from September surveillance and concepts of case-based 19th-23rd, 2016 in Port Moresby. The reporting; discuss data sources for the aim of the training was to build the ca- evaluation of public health programmes; pacity of participants in basic and discuss ethical issues in research. epidemiological research methodology and surveillance. Participants developed their own research projects where they will Nineteen participants from the explore further to enhance their Highlands, Momase, Islands and learning when they are back at their Southern regions attended the weeklong work places. In addition to the training delivered by Dr Gina Doskey certificates of participation, the Etheredge, from FHI 360 in Washington participants who successfully passed the DC. The training ensured that internationally recognized Research participants could define and apply Ethics Certification exam received epidemiological concepts, including certificates that are valid for three prevalence and incidence, measures of years | Mirriam Dogimab and association, and causality; distinguish Matilina Gendua

3 Progress review of Strongim Hauslain project

The Strongim Hauslain Project: strengthen monitoring and Strengthening Communities to Improve evaluation systems for effective and Deliver Prevention, Care and program intervention. Treatment Services for HIV and other STIs, is funded by the Australian A baseline assessment of the ten Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade benefiting clinics conducted at the (DFAT), through Health & HIV start of implementation revealed major Implementation Services Provider knowledge and capacity gaps among (HHISP). Between January 2013 and clinics and their clinicians. Some December 2015, FHI 360 implemented clinicians were providing services for the first phase of the project with a which they had no formal training, while focus on strengthening outreach others had not had the benefit of any services for key populations in Western refresher training for as many as five Highlands and Enga provinces, and the years. Most of the clinicians were not National Capital District. Following the familiar with the current STI and HIV outcome of the first phase, during which care and treatment guidelines and were FHI 360 built the capacity of three faith therefore unaware of the new eligibility based organizations (Baptist Union PNG, criteria for ART and special provisions Anglicare PNG and Sirus Niraqi Founda- for key populations. Most of the clinics tion) to implement peer-driven outreach had not received supportive supervisory programs for key populations, DFAT visits for two years or more, and the granted FHI 360 a follow-on award. The majority were still observing the ART new award focuses on strengthening the eligibility criteria of CD4 <350. One clinic capacity of clinicians to provide quality in particular was implementing one step STI and HIV services to key populations testing with referral to another for in accordance with the PNG national confirmatory testing. guidelines and protocols. Following the implementation of a series Under the follow-on grant, FHI 360 is of capacity building activities by FHI 360 working in partnership with the National in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Provincial Regional Medical Officers and Provincial Health Offices/Authorities of Western Disease Control Officers, stakeholders Highlands, Jiwaka and Morobe to met on the August 24th 2016, to review provide targeted technical assistance progress of the project. At the review to ten clinics located in Mt. Hagen, session, stakeholders expressed Markham Valley and Jiwaka, and two happiness and satisfaction with the prevention partners; Baptist Union PNG implementation progress and results in Western Highlands and Jiwaka recorded, and also reaffirm their provinces, and Adventist Development commitment to the partnership. Some and Relief Agency in . stakeholders used the opportunity to Over a 12-month implementation period request additional technical assistance. (January, 2016–December, 2016), the FHI 360 will continue to work closely project aims to increase access to with its partners to implement other quality HIV care and treatment services activities planned for the second half of for key populations, including PLHIV, and the project | Patty Pepe

4 GENDER

Barefoot beach run for survivors of violence

On September 10th 2016, a mammoth global awareness campaign for survivors of rape came to PNG. Claire McFarlane who is a survivor, adventurer and social advocate is embarking on a series of global, barefoot beach run events covering 184 coastal countries, spanning FHI 360 staff participated in this 3000km of beach, across three years. ambitious event joining over 200 other Papua New Guinea was the fifth country individuals in Port Moresby. Ambassador to feature in the series of runs that takes Ebert-Gray from the USA concluded the on 86% of the world’s landmass with the run with a speech, along with powerful 16km PNG loop starting at Harbour side PNG women’s rights activist, Ms Ume and finishing on Stanley Esplanade. Wainetti emphasising the continued high rates of violence against women and Claire’s mission is to make a difference girls experienced in PNG and the need to survivors of sexual violence on a for behavious change. global level. Her aim is to use this peaceful action to give a voice to those All funds and donations raised during who have been raped, remove the taboo this event were donated to the Port around this sensitive subject, raise funds Moresby Family Support Centre to help for healing programmes and ultimately survivors of violence. For more open up dialogue so that lasting change information, visit projectbra.org. can be made.

5 Child protection training opens ‘doorways’ for Western Highlands and West Sepik province

Since 2013 high levels of sexual violence refer them to the appropriate medical, and rape of children under the age of 15 psychosocial, legal and safety services has been reported by the Well Women if required, conduct follow up and help Clinic, one of FHI 360s key partners in young survivors plan for the future. Western Highlands province. To help sensitize key individuals caring for young In West Sepik province, FHI 360 KLOM people, the KLOM project team conducted the same training for facilitated child protection training in 25 Vanimo primary school teachers , Western Highlands from July 4th-8th, 2016. Vanimo primary province from August 8th-12th, 2016. school has made considerable efforts to create a safe environment for all of its The training was framed around the students. The training will enhance the ‘Doorways’ training curriculum series technical capacity of teachers to provide that focuses on instructing community care to child survivors of violence. members to respond to school related gender-based violence (SRGBV) with At the end of the training the basic listening skills and response participants made individual pledges procedures. The training was attended on how they will support and protect by 14 people (5 females and 9 males) children from violence. The training also representing active action group provided an excellent opportunity for members from the KLOM target sites. people in the community to connect with key service providers for children. The training aimed to create an After this training FHI 360 will provide enabling environment in schools and onsite support and work towards communities to support women and forming a coordination mechanism for girls to exercise their choices, access child protection services at community services and participate in the level and through core services within decision making process. It did this the province. The team will revisit the through encouraging the participants primary school at a later date to see how to support the rights of young people, the training has been implemented in provide them with emotional support, the classroom | Mirriam Dogimab

6 COMMUNITY

Local organizations learn how to secure essential donor funding

A selection of representatives from faith- based and community based organizations came together in August for follow up training on how to secure proposal, how to develop budgets and US government funding. This valuable how to develop a strong business case training was led by Maria Presley, for submission to potential donors. The Technical Officer SED Civil Society and training also introduced participants Peace Building from FHI 360 with techniques of identifying headquarters in USA and Srunya US government funding opportunities Nopsuwanwong, Associate Director of and web based submission of bids. Business Planning & Proposal Operations, from Bangkok Thailand. By the end of the training, participants The aim of the training was to build the had a strong understanding of the capacity of participating organizations in proposal development process and have resource mobilization and US attained knowledge on developing key government resources. components of a proposal for submission. Following the training some Thirteen participants from 10 of the participating organizations used organizations attended the training that the skills to submit proposals to the US included how to write a winning government | Matilina Gendua

VISITORS Mr Clay Epperson the Deputy Mission Director for USAID Philippines and the Pacific Islands visited the USAID Key Population project | Ms Polly E Ross, Clinical Adviser at the Office of Training and Capacity Development HIV/AIDS Bureau, along with Mr John K Williams from Centre for Disease Control (CDC) visited to discuss the FHI 360 and USAID Gender programme | Ms Sarah Wiles visited Mt. Hagen and Vanimo to compile stories and photographs to document the impact of the Komuniti Lukautim Ol Meri Project | Dr Gina Doskey Etheredge, Technical Advisor at FHI 360 in Washington DC conducted research and surveillance training for PNG | Dr Janet Robinson, Director of Research in the Asia Pacific Region and Global Director of Lab Science | Mr John Macom, Technical Advisor from the Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO) in Bangkok visited to provide technical support to the Prevention and Monitoring & Evaluation component under the USAID Key Population project | Dr Kwasi Torpey, Director of the Technical Support Division from the Asia Pacific Regional | Dr Anh Innes, Acting Director for Health, Population, and Nutrition in Asia Pacific | Mr Chad Martin, CDC, Ms Maria Presley, Technical Officer, Social Economic Development (SED), Civil Society and Peace Building from FHI 360 Washington DC office and Srunya (Nui) Nopsuwanwong, Associate Director, Business Planning & Proposals at FHI 360 Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO) in Bangkok conducted a four days of training to local organisations on proposal development writing to gain USAID funding.

7 MEET THE TEAM

Jacob Tinoi (left) and Shayne Poya | Admin Assistants/Drivers

Jacob Israel Tinoi, Hula, Central Shane Poya, Tambul, Western Highlands province | “I joined FHI 360 in early province | “I joined the FHI 360 team in 2016. It is a good organization to work August 2011, this is my fifth year for, has a nice working environment and with the organization. Working for FHI is welcoming, friendly staff. My job enables a learning experience for me. I’ve learnt me to meet and interact with people many things in a new environment from different walks of life. I enjoy and it is totally different to what I was helping and assisting the program team taught at school. I see FHI 360 as a good in carrying out administrative tasks as place to learn and it has broadened my well as my normal duties. I am happy at knowledge, motivating me to seriously FHI 360 as it is helping me to achieve my take into consideration going for further dream to take on further studies. One studies. I have learnt to work well under of the advantages of working here is pressure, with time management the hands on experience that I get with being the main principle. I also enjoy the modern technology. I have learnt how to opportunity to interact and meet other use laptops, printers and scanners. I find people from different organizations.” FHI 360 a good platform to learn and grow.”

Thank you to USAID and the Australian Government for financially supporting FHI 360.

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