HIV Basic and Preventive Care Package Programme (BCP)

PWP integrates screening and management of sexually transmitted infections, family planning, partner testing and supported disclosure, partner discordance counselling, prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), and safer sex practices including abstinence, and fidelity with correct and consistent use of condoms.

The BCP programme is supported by a multi-channelled communications campaign, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Straight Talk Foundation designed for PHAs, health care providers, and counsellors. The campaign uses print, radio, and interpersonal communications. It works to educate PHAs on how to live longer and healthier lives by preventing OIs through Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, prevention of diarrhoeal diseases using household water treatment and safe storage, use of insecticide treated nets (ITN) for malaria prevention, and the prevention of HIV transmission to sexual partners and unborn children, as well as management and treatment of tuberculosis and proper nutrition.

Organisers say support for the programme has grown significantly year-on-year and has facilitated continuous scale up of the intervention to include additional implementing partners nationwide. As the programme grows, advocacy and social support continue to be of primary importance and consultation and collaboration with the host district leadership remains paramount. Their involvement is an integral component of the four annual stakeholder meetings that are held each year to provide a platform for both networking and the maintenance of linkages between the various implementing partners.

HIV/AIDS

Since the programme’s inception in September 2004, organisers say over 215,000 PHAs including children, have received starter kits of health commodities, 4,871 health service providers and 2,444 peer educators have been trained and over 1,608,150 people have been reached through interpersonal communication. The PSI Uganda BCP programme team has provided technical assistance to Southern Sudan, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Russia, where BCP has been replicated and tailored to suit the country PHA specific needs.

In Uganda, PSI currently partners with 167 HIV/AIDS care and support organisations in 54 districts, including public and private hospitals, community-based, faith-based, and non-governmental organisations. In 2007, the scope was widened further still to bring on board all PEPFAR care and support partners including International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation, Hospice Africa Uganda, International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, Inter-Religious Council Uganda, Joint Clinical Research Centre, Makerere University Walter Reed project, Northern Uganda Malaria AIDS and Tuberculosis program, PeaceCorps, and Uganda People’s Defence Forces.