anrep0607 - Health Systems Trust

Enhancement of Syndromic Management of STI’s in Selected Cross
Border/High Transmission Sites: Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and
Swaziland
Project Manager: Abdul Elgoni
HST was commissioned by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) health
coordinating unit to strengthen the syndromic management of sexually transmitted
infections (STIs) in selected cross border and high transmission areas (CBS/HTA) in Botswana,
Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland through a health systems development approach. The
project, funded by Department of International Development (DFID), also assisted the SADC
region in developing a regional response to STI control and management. Project objectives
included:
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
Facilitating the development of a SADC regional response to STI control through
harmonisation of STI treatment guidelines and development of minimum standards
of care.
Development of a standardised regional STI training program.
Development of comprehensive STI surveillance systems that recognise mobile
population issues.
Strengthening systems for drug procurement, stock management and delivery.
Synchronise policies on STI’s management across the SADC countries.
Policy and framework documents developed based on local research and in collaboration
with countries and regional institutions included:
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
A regional framework for comprehensive STI control.
SADC STI tool for monitoring and evaluation of Quality of Care.
SADC STI case management clinical guidelines.
Surveillance tools and training manual.
Minimum norms and standards for STI quality management.
These final policy documents and guidelines were endorsed and adopted by representatives
from the Departments of Health of the 14 SADC member states at a regional meeting in
Swaziland in September 2006.
SADC STI Public Private Partnership Project
Researcher: Oluseyi Oyedele
The primary aim was to undertake participatory action research in three Southern African
countries (Botswana, Zambia and Namibia) to assess the delivery and quality of STI treatment
in the private sector to inform policy and practice on public private partnerships in STI
control. The project was funded by an International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
grant from 2004 to 2006.
Project objectives included:
▪ Assessing the quality of private general practitioners’ provision of STI services.
▪ Describing the policy and regulatory framework of the private health care sector.
▪ Determining the design and nature of existing public-private partnership for STIs.
▪ Developing a public-private partnerships framework that can facilitate an integrated
national and regional approach to STI management and control in public and private
sectors.
The project results reinforced the need for the private and public sector to work together on
important public health issues such as STIs. HST built strong relationships with country STI
coordinators, and involved universities and research institutions in participating countries.
Links established between private practitioners and public sectors managers has allowed for
sustainability of the project initiatives. The results of the research were shared at national
feedback and consensus building workshops in the three countries, with participation
of other countries, to allow for sharing of lessons and experiences. The workshops also
discussed a proposed Private-Public Partnership (PPP) framework for STI control which has
been submitted to SADC for consideration and adoption.
HEALTH SYSTEMS TRUST 22 ANNUAL REPORT 2006/07