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

ased violence, unplanned pregnancy/childbirth, and an increased HIV risk.Male involvement in reproductive andsexual health activities is an importantstep towards increasing gender equity,and the successful implementation ofSRH programmes.Since the CoC programme wasestablished and expanded to otherODs, stigma and discrimination amongPLHIV has been reduced. Because ofthe CoC programme, HIV/AIDScare has not only focussed on medicalcare but has also included a wide rangeof services, such as psychological,social, and legal support. The needfor comprehensive care is thereforecrucial. People at risk need infectionprevention support, and preventionefforts need to be closely linked to careand treatment. These should cover arange of important areas - raising theawareness of PLHA how not to infecttheir loved ones, helping those at highrisk protect themselves by identifyingtheir status, and avoiding infection.One of services of the CoC is theMMM programme which is offered byreferral hospitals. These programmesare conducted via half-day monthlymeetings that provide a cruciallink between PLHA and healthprofessionals at the hospital. The MMMprogramme also aims to reduce stigmawithin the referral hospitals, as well asself-stigma experienced by PLWHA.Through MMM meetings, healthcareproviders gain an understanding ofnon-clinical issues, daily struggles andthe gaps in medical understandingof PLWHA. PLWHA receiveinformation about their illness andtheir treatment programme, and howto access all the resources available tothem. They also learn from each other,sharing their successes and challenges,gradually becoming more confident andcompetent in self-care and appropriatehealth-seeking behaviourPolicies, Strategies,Guidelines and StandardOperating ProceduresSince the HIV epidemic was detectedand became a major health issue inCambodia, some important and timelypolicies, strategies, guidelines, andstandard operating procedures havebeen developed, updated and adaptedaccording to the needs and scope ofprogramme implementation.Data analysed from the HIV and STInational survey, political commitment,the joint-national programme for HIV/AIDS, STI, and other reproductiveand sexual health programmes form thebases upon which the changing HIVsituation is managed.Policies, strategies, guidelines, andstandard operating procedures havebeen updated and are available tosupport the implementation of HIV/AIDS and STI/RTI programmes,PMTCT and other reproductivehealth programmes. These are:Health Sector Strategic Plan 2008 –2015The Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDSPrevention and Care in Health Sector2008 – 2010 is composed of HIVprevention and care components suchas: i) BCC; ii) STI/RTI, prevention53