NEW US HIV/AIDS PROGRAMME FOR NEPAL

USAID Launches New HIV/AIDS Program for Nepal


Kathmandu, 28 Nov.: : The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Monday announced launch of its new five-year health program “Saath-Saath” to reduce the transmission and impact of HIV/AIDS and improve reproductive health among selected most-at-risk populations (MARPs).
The program will integrate and expand HIV prevention, treatment, and care and family planning services in 33 districts of Nepal, an official
US announcement said.
Organized as a prelude to World AIDS Day 2011, the launch featured key stakeholders from the Government of Nepal, private sector, civil society, and media. Also at the event, seven local organizations (Trisuli Plus, Syangja Support Group, Chhahari Mahila Samuha, Dang Plus, Dhaulagiri Positive Group, Lumbini Plus and Sakriya Plus Nepal) were recognized for their longstanding, exemplary contributions towards serving people living with HIV and their families.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Sheila Lutjens, USAID’s Acting Mission Director, remarked “The United States is proud to support the Government of Nepal as it takes a leadership role in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Since 1993, USAID and the Government of Nepal’s efforts to combat HIV and AIDS have resulted in the development of targeted interventions that have reduced HIV prevalence in the country. Working together, we can build on our successes to save even more lives. With Saath-Saath, we are integrating family planning into HIV prevention, treatment and care services and scaling up our efforts to battle HIV/AIDS more effectively and efficiently.”
FHI 360 will implement Saath-Saath Project with a consortium of local and international partners. By 2016, the program will:
• Reduce new HIV infections among female sex workers (FSW)
• Promote the voluntary use of family planning among migrant couples in four districts
• Reach 43,000 FSWs through targeted HIV prevention services
• Reach 150,000 migrants and their wives through targeted HIV prevention services
• Treat 19,000 MARPs for sexually transmitted infections
• Provide testing and counseling services to 100,000 MARPs
• Provide care and support services to 10,000 people living with HIV/AIDS
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