Systems Strengthening

PHDA has prioritized strengthening systems primarily within the government to sustain the gains of the HIV response. Some of the ground-breaking work conducted by the PHDA, the University of Manitoba, and its partners has had an impact on programme and policy in Kenya and other counties.

Through work with the government of Kenya, PHDA has proven that:

The role of the government in leading HIV and other public health responses is critical. Technical support to the government can help the government scale up and coordinate the response efficiently and effectively.

Summary of current system strengthening efforts are:

Strengthening the effectiveness of the HIV prevention response in Kenya

PHDA in partnership with UoM continues to provide technical support to NASCOP and NACC to strengthen the effectiveness of HIV prevention programs and services in Kenya, and thereby reduce HIV incidence.

South to South Learning Network (SSLN)

The South to South Learning Network aims to foster inter-country exchange between Global Prevention Coalition (GPC) countries by sharing best practices for the revitalization and expansion of HIV prevention programmes.

Completed projects

Technical Support Unit for Key Population Programme

PHDA in partnership with UoM provided technical support to NASCOP to sustain effective and efficient HIV prevention programmes for key populations at scale in Kenya.

Resources

Strengthening the effectiveness of the HIV prevention response in Kenya

PHDA in partnership with UoM continues to provide technical support to NASCOP and NACC to strengthen the effectiveness of HIV prevention programs and services in Kenya, and thereby reduce HIV incidence.

Objectives

  • To improve strategic planning and priority setting for HIV prevention

  • To improve HIV prevention programme implementation in priority counties

  • To improve integration of HIV prevention programs into various health system platforms

  • To document and disseminate effective HIV prevention models, methods and tools

The University of Manitoba team will utilize the knowledge being gathered through the situational analysis of the HIV prevention landscape in Kenya as well as previous grants aimed at providing direct technical support to the national HIV program in Kenya. This work will connect closely with other HIV BMGF grants in Kenya that look at testing and prevention, as well as make direct linkages to the national care and treatment program where appropriate.

 

By creating a platform of technical support and expertise, the project aims to support the national HIV program in achieving the goals set out in the Kenya AIDS Strategic Framework II (2020/21 – 2024/25) and the HIV Prevention Roadmap. The project will work with national and county level governments, as well as PEPFAR and Global Fund implementing partners, Gates grantees, and other key stakeholders to develop innovative ideas to improve HIV related outcomes.

South to South Learning Network (SSLN)

The South to South Learning Network aims to foster inter-country exchange between Global Prevention Coalition (GPC) countries by sharing best practices for the revitalization and expansion of HIV prevention programmes.

Objectives

  • The network provides countries with a platform to understand gaps and successes, gain experiential knowledge from peers (countries), harness and share good prevention learnings and empower countries to adapt interventions to the unique African context.
  • The participating countries in the SSLN are Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
  • The country selection was conducted in a consultative manner with the GPC and was informed primarily by the scale of the country epidemics and then balanced by the cross-regional geographic coverage ensuring the inclusion of countries.

The project had its inception meeting with the 10 countries, after which the team led the country reflection process using the HIV Prevention Self-Assessment Tools (PSAT). The PSAT helped the countries assess and monitor their progress with respect to comprehensive prevention programming and assist in identifying programme areas that could benefit from the learnings and experiences of other countries. The learning network is currently in the second phase where countries are developing their action plans and technical support plans.

 

South to South Learning Network repository (Click here)

South to South Learning Network youtube channel (Click here)

Technical Support Unit for Key Population Programme

PHDA in partnership with UoM continues provided technical support to NASCOP to sustain effective and efficient HIV prevention programmes for key populations at scale in Kenya.

Objectives

  • To sustain policy and programmatic focus on key populations in national and county HIV prevention response

  • To improve the capacity of counties so that they manage and monitor key population programmes as per national guidelines

  • To develop innovative models of interventions for scaling up of programmes to reach KP subpopulations currently left out of interventions

  • To improve the enabling environment and facilitate the implementation of HIV programming among KPs

  • To improve the use of data for decision making at the national and county level

The project has supported NASCOP to scale up the national KP programme by reaching more than

 

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FSWs
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MSM
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PWID

Condom and needle syringe distribution to KPs expanded with the improvement in condom use and new needle- syringe use among KPs. The opioid substitution therapy programme also expanded with the 26% of the PWID population on the therapy. The project facilitated the strengthening of the national KP programme of Kenya which is now a global good practice.

Assessing Outcomes in HIV Prevention and treatment Programmes with Key Populations, in Nairobi, Kenya: enhanced Polling Booth Survey (ePBS)

The study aims to assess the HIV prevention outcomes in programmes with female sex workers (FSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nairobi, Kenya. The study will use polling booth method, a novel data collection tool used to collect behavioral data. It is a group interview method in which individuals provide responses through a ballot box in an unlinked and anonymous way. The sample size for the quantitative survey is 680 FSW and 379 MSM. Sampling procedure will use a two-stage i) random selection of participants ii) HIV rapid tests will be conducted for all consenting participants; urine rapid tests will be conducted for all those who report to be on PrEP to test for tenofovir and blood samples will be collected from all those who are positive to test for HIV recency and viral suppression.

Objectives

  • To estimate the incidence and prevalence of HIV among key populations (female sex workers and men who have sex with men) in Nairobi, Kenya
  • To assess biomedical (condom use, PrEP uptake, 95-95-95 cascade), behavioural (knowledge and risk behaviours) and structural outcomes (experience of violence, stigma and discrimination) of the KP programme in Nairobi, Kenya
  • To assess access and use of comprehensive package of HIV prevention and treatment services among key populations in Nairobi, Kenya
  • To understand the barriers contributing to gaps in access and utilization of services among key populations

Project Initiated 2023

The study was initiated in March 2023.

The study population includes two key population groups: female sex workers and men who have sex with men and will take place in 4 groups where a sample size of each group will be divided by an average of 10-12 respondents per Polling Booth Surveys (PBS) to arrive at the number of PBS to be conducted. The study will be using the list of locations and the population size estimation of mapping conducted in the year 2018 and a will take place in 17 sub-counties in Nairobi county.

Funders

This study is funded by Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation (BMGF)

Doris Kuzma

Member

Doris Kuzma is a seasoned Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with over 25 years of experience in financial management, administration, and project leadership. She has played a pivotal role in the strategic and financial oversight of major international projects, collaborating with universities, governments, NGOs, and global institutions. As the Director of Administration and Finance at the Institute for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba, Doris has overseen complex multi-location projects across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Her expertise spans financial reporting, strategic planning, contract negotiations, and budget management. In her extensive career, Doris has been instrumental in driving financial strategies, improving administrative systems, and ensuring compliance with international funding agencies. Doris is recognized for her leadership in financial governance, her ability to navigate complex financial landscapes, and her commitment to advancing public health through sound financial management.

Wanjiru Angela Nduati

Member

Wanjiru Angela Nduati is a qualified Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Honours degree from the University of Leicester, UK, and has advanced certifications in trust creation law, company law, and trustee investment law. Wanjiru’s career includes pivotal roles in both legal practice and corporate governance. She is the Co-founder and managing partner of Havelock, Nduati & Company Advocates, she specializes in trusts, estate planning, and property structuring. With over two decades of experience, she held pivotal roles including Head of Governance & Control at Barclays Consumer Banking and Group Company Secretary & Legal Counsel at Barclays Bank of Kenya. Wanjiru is highly regarded for her expertise in legal practice and corporate governance, playing a pivotal role in shaping legal and financial strategies for individuals and institutions.