2009-09-18
Regional. CAPACITY close-out conference.
On September 14, 2009, a regional close-out conference about the results of the 5-year CAPACITY Project aimed at providing technical support and assistance to the countries of Central Asia in their responses to the HIV epidemics among vulnerable populations, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), was conducted in Almaty. Representatives from USAID, JSI headquarters in Boston (USA), the Ministries of Health, the CAPACITY country offices, government and non-government organizations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as representatives from international partner organizations, participated in the conference. During the conference, participants discussed the main achievements gained during the lifetime of the Project – improvements of stewardship of the national HIV/AIDS programs, capacity building of local AIDS service organizations, improvements in quality of HIV and AIDS services, and integration of HIV services into the general healthcare system. In addition, the results of the TUMAR project, funded by the Central Asia AIDS Project (CAAP) and implemented by JSI during 2 years, were also discussed during the conference. The partners expressed their appreciation to the CAPACITY project for the fruitful and joint work and invaluable impact on the HIV epidemics in Central Asia. more »

2009-08-20
Kazakhstan. Improving the quality of HIV/AIDS services.
On July 28, 2009 a roundtable meeting was conducted in Temirtau to discuss the results of a pilot project on integration of antiretroviral therapy into primary health care facilities in Temirtau. The main goal of the pilot project was to provide PLHIV with access to comprehensive AIDS services, including ARVT. Representatives of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Republican and Oblast AIDS Centers, non-governmental organizations, working on care and support of PLHIV, and international organizations participated in the roundtable meeting. During the first part of the meeting, pilot project implementing partners made reports and discussed achieved outcomes. During the second part – an observational visit to Temirtau and to a pilot policlinic was organized. more »

2009-08-20
Kyrgyzstan. A round table meeting on VCT model results.
On July 2, 2009 the CAPACITY Project conducted a Round Table meeting with national and international stakeholders to share best practices obtained from the implementation of the VCT model in Osh Oblast. The model was initiated in June 2008 by CAPACITY with the purpose to improve the quality of HIV/AIDS services and was implemented jointly with local non-governmental organizations and medical facilities during the following year. For successful implementation, CAPACITY developed a model structure, conducted a needs assessment among at-risk populations and medical workers, conducted an informational campaign, established Thematic Working Groups, developed the regulation documents mechanism and conducted two cycles of trainings for VCT consultants. Totally, as per the model implementation results, 1302 clients received pre-test counseling, 1268 clients went through the test and 591 received post-test counseling. It is expected that this experience will enable medical institutions and AIDS-service NGOs to carry out their activities to respond to the HIV epidemics more effectively. more »

2009-08-20
Kyrgyzstan. CAPACITY close-out conference in Bishkek.
On July 27, 2009 the CAPACITY Project in Kyrgyzstan has officially closed its program activities and conducted a close-out conference. The meeting brought together more than 50 partners including governmental and international organizations and NGOs. The main purpose of the meeting was to share the results of the Project’s models and initiatives, and discuss the ways of their continuation and scaling up with the stakeholders. The partners acknowledged the role that the Project played during the last 4 years in the national efforts to respond to HIV epidemics in Kyrgyzstan and expressed their willingness to continue the efforts initiated by the Project. As a sign of appreciation the Chui Oblast Heath Department awarded the Project with the official Letter of Appreciation. more »

2009-08-20
Kyrgyzstan. Improving the quality of HIV/AIDS services.
From July 30 to August 6, 2009 the CAPACITY Project together with AFEW, WHO Bureau in Kyrgyzstan and the National TB Center have been conducting two 3-day trainings on TB and HIV-infection and a day-long seminar on TB/HIV M&E for TB and AIDS specialists and medical workers from penitentiary institutions. The trainings are initiated by the above mentioned organizations to improve the knowledge and skills of medical workers to manage TB/HIV co-infected patients. The similar trainings have already been conducted during the implementation of a TB/HIV model piloted by CAPACITY in Chui Oblast. It is expected that the trainings will not only improve the knowledge of participants but will also strengthen the interaction of TB and AIDS related services of civil and penitentiary health systems. more »

2009-08-20
Tajikistan. CAPACITY close-out conference in Dushanbe.
On July 8, 2009, CAPACITY had a close-out conference in Tajikistan. The conference was facilitated by Dr. Mirzoev, Deputy Minister of Health. Many national and international partners were present, including National and City AIDS Centers, National and City TB Centers, Association of Family Physicians, many NGOs and all international partners, including USAID and the US Embassy. US Ambassador Jacobson gave a welcome speech and said that she appreciates all the results accomplished by the Project and hopes for JSI to continue working in the region. The conference went very well and CAPACITY’s work was presented not only by project staff, but also by national counterparts, which illustrated the cooperative approach taken by the Project from its early days. The most important outcome of the conference was the commitment from national and international partners to increase the scale and scope of all our major activities and models after the project ends. more »

2009-08-20
Tajikistan. TUMAR close-out roung table meetings.
In July in Kurgan-Tube city of Khatlon oblast and Khujand, Chkalovsk and Qayraqqum cities of Sughd oblast were organized round tables devoted to TUMAR project activities in Tajikistan with participation of project partners. The meetings were attended by representatives of Oblast Health Department, Oblast Coordination Committee, Oblast AIDS centers, narcology and dermatovenerology services, and nongovernmental organizations. During the meeting project staff presented the main achievements of TUMAR project on coverage of target groups (IDUs, SWs) with comprehensive package of HIV/AIDS services. Participants marked the successful work of TUMAR project and discussed achieved results. Partners noted that project results and some of the methods and approaches used during the project implementation will be considered and utilized in their further activities. more »

2009-08-20
Turkmenistan. Educating and empowering vulnerable populations.
A workshop for clients of the Drop-In Center was held is Ashgabat. The goal of the workshop was to promote the awareness among IDUs on HIV and STI prevention. Interactive methods used during the workshop facilitated the active involvement of participants in discussions, role-plays and group work. During the workshop the participants also had an opportunity to receive answers to their questions. The Drop-In Center staff plan to conduct workshops on different subjects related to HIV/AIDS/STI on a regular basis. more »

2009-08-20
Turkmenistan. The Youth Center in Dashoguz organized a contest.
The Youth Center in Dashoguz organized a contest between two teams. The major goal of this event was to improve knowledge of youth on healthy lifestyles and prevention of HIV/AIDS and drug use. There were more than 150 people in the audience who received informational brochures on HIV/AIDS issues. The contest was interactive. Two teams "Ýaşlar güýç” and "Ruhubelent ýaşlar” had performed the welcoming,, a sketch, question-answer session, dances and songs. Each team presentation covered issues of HIV/AIDS and drug use prevention as well as aspects of healthy lifestyles. The spectators were very impressed by performances of the two teams. According to the contest results, the team "Ýaşlar güýç” was the winner. more »

2009-08-20
Turkmenistan. A 6-day workshop for narcologists.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan jointly with the CAPACITY Project organized a 6-day workshop on psychotherapeutic treatment and anti-relapse work with drug users. The participants of the workshop were specialists from the Narcology Department at the Turkmen State Medical University, narcology clinics of Ashgabat and all regions of Turkmenistan. The goal of the workshop was to improve knowledge and skills of narcologists to conduct psychotherapeutic treatment and anti-relapse work with drug users. The workshop was led by international consultants from the "HOPE” Consulting and Diagnostic Center, city of Kostanay, Republic of Kazakhstan. During the workshop sessions, participants received information on different aspects of the psychology of addicted individuals’ development, physical and psychological addiction development, psychological testing, psychotherapy, family therapy, addiction psychotherapy, anti-relapse psychotherapy, working with co-dependants and evaluating the related environment. Knowledge and skills gained at the workshop will be used by specialists in the daily work with target groups and in conducting treatment and rehabilitation work with drug users. Upon the completion of the workshop, the participants were given certificates. more »