SCIPHA BACKGROUND

STRENGTHENING CIVIL SOCIETY FOR IMPROVED HIV &AIDS AND OVC SERVICE DELIVERY IN UGANDA (SCIPHA) BACKGROUND: Strengthening Civil Society for Improved HIV & AIDS and Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) service delivery in Uganda (SCIPHA) is an 18 months project which Commenced early 2011, and is being implemented by a consortium comprising of the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) and Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG) in 5 regions of Uganda (West Nile, North, Central, Mid-west, and Eastern) with a total of 19 districts. JCRC serves as the prime, with the responsibility of coordinating the implementation of the project. In the implementation of the project, the consortium complements each other based on the unique competencies, niche and experiences of each organization in the provision of quality HIV prevention, Care, treatment and support services. Particularly, UHMG leads on HIV prevention by creating demand and uptake of HIV service & products while JCRC leads on Care, Treatment, and quality assurance at all levels. The consortium adopted a lead agency model that involves working through existing district and community structures such as the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), private sector health providers, Village health teams, AIDS coordination committees focusing on the Most at Risk Populations (MARPs) such as Truckers, Fisher-folk, Commercial Sex workers, as well as the OVC and People Living with HIV& AIDS. To enhance effective participation of the stakeholders, the consortium operates through district coordination structures in the targeted districts. Although the consortium works in collaboration in the implementation of the project, UHMG oversees the operations in the two regions of central and West Nile comprising of 8 districts of Moyo, Koboko, Arua, Nebbi, Kalangala, Mpigi, Mityana, Kiboga, while JCRC oversees and coordinate the activities in the Northern, Mid-western and Eastern regions comprarising 11 districts of Gulu, Lira, Amolatar, Katakwi, Soroti, Tororo, Kabarole, Bundibugyo, Kasese, Hoima, Masindi. This arrangement aimed at leveraging resources and is based on the partnerships and presence of each consortium members in the targeted districts. The project serves to increase access and utilization of HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment and support services; strengthen quality of HIV prevention, care and treatment services; establish effective referrals, linkages and partnerships for comprehensive HIV services; and enhance the capacity of ten CSF-funded organizations to deliver quality HIV prevention, care and treatment services. DOWNLOAD FULL BACKGROUND