Drc Integrated Hiv/Aids Project
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DRC INTEGRATED HIV/AIDS PROJECT PROJET INTEGRE DE VIH/SIDA AU CONGO (PROVIC) SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT March 2010 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by the PATH Consortium. DRC INTEGRATED HIV/AIDS PROJECT PROJET INTEGRE DE VIH/SIDA AU CONGO (PROVIC) SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT Contract # GHH-I-00-07-00061-00, Order No. 03 The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. LIST OF ACRONYMS AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AMITIE AIDS Mitigation Initiative to Enhance Care and Support in Bukavu, Lubumbashi and Matadi AMO Congo Avenir Meilleur pour les Orphelins au Congo ART antiretroviral therapy BDOM Bureau Diocésain des Oeuvres Médicales BCC behavior change communication C-Change Communication for Change CIELS Comité InterEntreprise de Lutte contre le Sida CCLD/Midema Corporate Commitment for Local Development/Minoterie de Matadi DRC Democratic Republic of Congo DIVAS Division des Affaires Sociales ECC Eglise du Christ au Congo EU European Union GTZ German Technical Cooperation HCT HIV counseling and testing HIV human immunodeficiency virus HMIS Health Management Information System(s) IHP DRC Integrated HIV/AIDS Project IR intermediate result M&E monitoring and evaluation MARP most at-risk populations MINAS Ministère des Affaires Sociales MONUC Mission des Nations Unies au Congo MSH/SPS Management Sciences for Health/Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems MOH Ministry of Health MOPH Ministry of Public Health NGO nongovernmental organization OVC orphans and vulnerable children PEPFAR US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief PALS/FARDC Programme de l’Armée de Lutte contre le Sida/Forces Armées de la RDC PLWHA people living With HIV/AIDS PMEP Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan PMILS/PNC Programme du Ministère de l’Intérieur de Lutte contre le Sida/ Police Nationale Congolaise PMTCT prevention of mother to child transmission PNLS Programme National de Lutte contre le SIDA PNMLS Programme Nationale Multi-Sectorielle de Lutte contre le SIDA PSI/ASF Population Services International/ Association Santé Familiale TB tuberculosis UCOP+ Union Congolaise des Organisations des Personnes Vivant avec le VIH UNC University of North Caroline UNFPA United Nations Fund for Population Activities UNHCR United Nations of High Commission Refugees UNPC Union Nationale de la Presse Congolaise TOT training of trainers USAID United States Agency for International Development USG United States Government WHO World Health Organization WFP World Food Programme The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 2 SECTION I. OVERVIEW AND GENERAL CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES ................ 3 Overall progress toward results .................................................................................. 3 Planning ...................................................................................................................... 3 Administration ............................................................................................................ 3 Project monitoring and evaluation.............................................................................. 4 Grants management .................................................................................................... 7 SECTION 2. REPORTS BY TECHNICAL COMPONENT ....................................... 9 HIV counseling and testing and prevention services expanded and improved .......... 9 PMTCT services improved....................................................................................... 11 Care, support, and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS and for orphans and vulnerable children improved in target areas............................................................ 14 Strengthening of health systems supported............................................................... 16 ANNEX A. SITES SELECTED TO DATE .................................................................. 18 ANNEX B. TRIP REPORTS ......................................................................................... 19 ANNEX C. FINANCIAL REPORTS ............................................................................ 29 ANNEX D. PARTNER AND COLLABORATION MATRIX ................................... 30 PROVIC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT OCTOBER 2009–MARCH 2010 vi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Integrated HIV/AIDS Project (Project Integré de VIH/SIDA au Congo; PROVIC) is to reduce the incidence and prevalence of HIV and mitigate its impact on people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and their families. The first six months of project implementation was dominated by start-up activities. This included developing the initial work plan and performance monitoring and evaluation plan (PMEP) as well as the PEPFAR country operational plan and grants management manual. The project also opened offices in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Matadi, and Bukavu and hired all but a few open positions. To build the partnerships that will ensure success, the project team held numerous consultative meetings with other groups, sharing the project’s vision and strategy as well as looking for opportunities for collaboration. To continue some services offered under previous projects, PROVIC issued a series of bridge grants to maintain HIV counseling and testing (HCT) services and support for PLWHA and orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). These bridge grants will maintain services for vulnerable populations while PROVIC establishes its own request for application (RFA) for the new grants program. In addition, the project team carried out a needs assessment to determine the current status of activities in the four intervention areas. The findings have informed project site selection and the development of intervention approaches. During this first six months, PROVIC has built a solid foundation for successful project implementation. This work will bear fruit in the coming months through the achievement of project results that prevent HIV/AIDS and support those who are infected. PROVIC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT OCTOBER 2009 –MARCH 2010 1 INTRODUCTION The purpose of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Integrated HIV/AIDS Project (Project Integre de VIH/SIDA au Congo; PROVIC) is to reduce the incidence and prevalence of HIV and mitigate its impact on people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and their families. We will achieve this objective by improving HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment services in the selected areas; increasing community involvement in health issues and services beyond facility-level services through sustainable community-based approaches; and increasing the capacity of government and local civil-society partners (and thus empowering new local organizations) to plan, manage, and deliver high-quality HIV/AIDS services. PROVIC was awarded in October 2009 to a consortium led by PATH. Partners include Chemonics International, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the Elisabeth Glazer Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (IHAA). The consortium initiated rapid project start-up in October 2009, completing the year 1 work plan by October 30 and the project monitoring and evaluation plan (PMEP) by the end of November. The team opened offices in all four project sites—Kinshasa, Bukavu, Matadi, and Lubumbashi—and hired most of the required project staff. Led by Chief of Party Mbella Ngongi, the team spent the first six months laying the groundwork for successful project implementation by developing relationships with partners, conducting site visits in the four provinces to establish needs and collect baseline data, and issuing the bridge grants to previous partners whose services needed to be continued in the short term. Section 1 of this report describes the general and cross-cutting activities, including grants and monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and details the accomplishments of the administrative start-up. Section 2 details technical activities by component: accomplishments, challenges and solutions, and plans for the coming six months. Annexes include details on sites selected, trip reports, financial information, and the partner matrix developed so far. PROVIC SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT OCTOBER 2009–MARCH 2010 2 SECTION I. OVERVIEW AND GENERAL CROSS- CUTTING ISSUES Overall progress toward results In the first six months we have been principally in startup mode; setting up 4 offices, recruiting staff, building partnerships, and laying the groundwork for project activities. As such, and since the M&E plan and related indicators have yet to be finalized, we are not specifically reporting on results in this first semi-annual report. However, we have achieved several critical benchmarks to date, such as conducting a needs assessment and baseline analysis, identifying target geographical zones, setting up our grants mechanisms, developing the PMEP, establishing MOU’s with strategic partners, etc. which inform our progress toward project objectives. These are discussed in greater detail throughout the body