USAID Project: Preventing HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C Project (PHHP)

Project Components
     There are five project components: 1. Strengthen voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services for HIV/AIDS and integrate them with Hepatitis B and C services. 2. Strengthen programs in behavior change communication (BCC) to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C and to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS. 3. Improve the safety of blood and blood products. 4. Strengthen laboratory capacity to diagnose Hepatitis B and C and to improve epidemiological surveillance including assistance for a national reference laboratory. 5. Improve guidelines for medical practices to prevent the transmission of infections of HIV and Hepatitis B and C in healthcare facilities and support the implementation of these practices.

Voluntary Counseling and Testing

Strengthen VCT services for HIV/AIDS and expand VCT capacity to integrate viral Hepatitis B and C services.
Expected Results
-At least 50% increase in the number of people 15-30 years who request an HIV test, receive pre- and post-test counseling in accordance with international standards;

-At least 80% of VCT centers meet international standards;

-A stronger National AIDS Center, including its role in VCT;

Key activities:
o Assess training and service capacity;
o Strengthen the National AIDS Center and its role in VCT;
o Build the capacity of existing VCT facilities;
o Support integration of VCT with other health services;
o Develop pre-service training and technical materials;
o Establish national VCT network;
Infection Control

Improve guidelines for medical practices to reduce nosocomial infections in HIV and viral hepatitis in healthcare facilities and support the implementation of those practices.
Expected Results
- Cross contamination with Hepatitis B and C reduced in healthcare settings by 50% and for HIV/AIDS maintained at 0%.

Key activities:
o Review existing guidelines and protocols: identify areas for update/revision;
o Draft revised guidelines according to international standards;
o Build consensus regarding new guidelines;
o Test draft guidelines in pilot sites;
o Revise and finalize guidelines; formalize Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MOHSP) endorsement;
o Guideline implementation: Conduct national launch of guidelines;
o Conduct surveillance to assess reduction in HIV and HBV/HCV in healthcare settings;
Behavior Change Communication
Strengthen programs in BCC to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C and to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS
Expected Results:
-At least 50% increase of Injecting Drug Users (IDUs), Sex workers(SW), and Men having sex with men (MSM) who can accurately identify the modes of HIV and viral hepatitis transmission;
-High knowledge among the general population about at least two modes of transmission of HIV, HBV, and HCV;
-Increased numbers of persons trained in Behavior Change Communication (BCC) methodologies (TOT, journalists, outreach workers, university teachers);
Key activities:
o Compile results and best practices;
o Develop and conduct communication campaigns for general population and vulnerable groups;
o Piggyback Hepatitis B and C on to ongoing local HIV/AID prevention campaigns;
o Hold workshop for journalists, media organizations. NGOs, and officials;
o Integrate BCC into Undergraduate and Post-graduate medical education;
o Monitor and evaluate BCC interventions;
Blood Security

Improve the safety of blood and blood products
Expected Results:
-All (100%) blood used for transfusion screened for HIV and hepatitis (results will be measured by the indicator of the percent of blood and blood products tested for HIV, HBV, and HCV);
Key activities:
o Develop guidelines and quality assurance procedures;
o Develop and implement training plan for improved blood safety;
o Establish data collection and management information system;
o Provide support for volunteer donor recruitment;
Laboratory capacity

Strengthen laboratory capacity to diagnose Hepatitis B and C and to improve epidemiological surveillance.
Expected Results:
- Implementation of internationally recommended laboratory practices for diagnosing hepatitis B and C;
- A Reference Laboratory for Viral Hepatitis that meets international standards for equipment, policies and procedures;
- 95% accuracy in the diagnosis of chronic cases of hepatitis B and C, and improved quality and accuracy of test for HBV and HCV and improved quality control and accuracy in the diagnosis of chronic cases of hepatitis in other labs throughout Moldova;
Key activities:
o Assess and develop plan for laboratory network;
o Develop and implement international standard guidelines and quality; control;
o Procure equipment and provide training and manuals on its use;
o Develop national diagnostic standards and surveillance system;
o Prepare recommendations for other labs;