SRH and HIV/AIDS Linkages at Policies, Programmes and Service ...

CONCLUSIONSuccessful linkages between RH and HIV/AIDS programmes and services can only beachieved, if it is supported by commitment at policy level, development of appropriateinstitutional mechanism, coordination and collaboration rather than through attemptsto simply expand and link vertical programmes. Linked response should beinstitutionalised in all policies related to RH, HIV/AIDS, gender and young people.Despite the growing realization among the stakeholders, the need for policy and systemslinking to address SRHR, HIV and AIDS, particularly in the context of the commitmentto universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support, efforts to systematicallylinking SRH and HIV remains limited. This is partly because promoting synergisticapproaches between the SRH and HIV perceived due to the lack of guidance fromthe relevant authorities. More, significantly, existing policy, institutional and financialmanagement contain many barriers linking HIV and SRH programmes.The UN agencies have a key role to play in providing technical support and leadershiprole, despite UNAIDS Intensifying HIV Prevention strategy urges for strong linkageswith SRH. Support to sector wide management processes represents a majoropportunity for developing a comprehensive health sector response to HIV/AIDS, aspart of universal access commitments. HIV/AIDS activities are receiving substantialfunds, which are mainly ‘off budget’ and inflexible.Strategy making processes for HIV and AIDS and SRH are still mainly managed andimplemented separately. This reduces opportunities for developing comprehensivelinking approaches at programming and service delivery levels. National level SRH andHIV/AIDS response is separately administered, funded, and supported by differentdonors and technical agencies.Looking into, the way forward, the entry point could be mobilization of UN agenciesand other key stakeholders to begin the policy dialogue and advocacy for inclusion oflinkage issue in the HIV policy and strategy which are in the process of revision.A mechanism for better coordination and linkage between the two divisions managingSRH and HIV programmes should be initiated through a formal and informal platformsfor joint planning, financing, monitoring and reporting systems for SRH and HIV/AIDS.The pre-service and in-service training curriculum of health service providers (ContinuesMedical Education) when undergoing revision should consider training the serviceproviders on how to deliver integrated SRH and HIV services.A national level standardized package for integration of SRH and HIV services shouldbe developed for the different cadres of health service providers in order to informthem of their roles in the process of providing integrated services and in managingreferrals.Introductionⅵ (i)