By Courtney S. Robinson
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI-GIS): On Wednesday, the National AIDS Programme in the Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services concluded a two-hour consultation for the DFID Regional Project: Taking Action Against HIV/Aids in the Overseas Territories.
The session, facilitated by Dr Nicholas Adomakoh, consultant with Associates International Development Inc. (AIDInc.), discussed the regional project and request for technical needs assessment.
This programme, specifically designed to provide technical assistance to build capacity within the country's National AIDS Programme, is geared towards better responding to and better managing their HIV epidemics, across the six British Overseas Territories.
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| Dr. Nicholas Adomakoh, consultant with Associates International Development Inc. (AIDInc.) |
Although in its infancy, Adomakoh has been carrying out a situation analysis in the Overseas Territories - looking at the circumstances in each country. In particular, identifying the vulnerable groups that need more intervention, the responses to date, and locating the gaps in terms the situation that exists.
Having done this, a list of needs will be created that government agencies, non-government agencies, faith-based agencies and the like will need to better respond to the epidemic. Based on this list, in conjunction with the National AIDS Program Coordinator, certain areas will be prioritized that make the biggest difference in the country; whereby a work plan will be developed to implement them.
Adomakoh made known that the National AIDS Programme of the Turks and Caicos Islands has done well very as far as managing the epidemic and documenting that which they have been doing. Therefore, the desk review prior to coming to TCI was very fruitful and gave him a good idea of what to expect. On speaking to various stakeholders, it has given him confirmation on what was read and then additional insights as to what pertains.
In encapsulating the project, Adomakoh said: "It really is about assessing the needs of the country, or in fact the country itself, assessing its own needs where gaps exists in its response to HIV/AIDS and demanding or applying for technical assistance to meet those specific needs."
Not only the long-term technical advisor, Adomakoh is also a medical doctor, and brings a wealth of knowledge in terms of training in clinical management and in the management of the program abroad.
On giving an example of the type of technical assistance provided, he highlighted the Epidemiology Unit, stating that they may need some assistance in doing behavioral surveillance studies. He noted that when looking at behavioral studies, they are dealing with the dynamics of the epidemic.
"You may have specific statistics that would tell you what the numbers are now, and if those numbers are going to grow and increase, that will depend on what the behaviors will be. So the behavioral surveillance is becoming very important to monitoring and managing program," said the consultant.
However, the protocols, the various instruments needed to implement the whole design of behavioral studies are not so easy to come by. He said an expert in behavioral surveillance would have to come to the TCI and help develop a behavioral surveillance that would provide for robust information upon which the next plan would put into action.
In respect of this, Adomakoh said: "The project itself is looking at health information needs and trying to strengthen health information needs to be based on accurate data, better planning, better design of programs and policies."
Furthermore, he added: "It is also looking at service delivery in terms of treatment care and support, prevention, intervention; looking at the very difficult and sensitive issues around policies and legislation, advocacy and human rights for persons living with HIV and specifically strengthening the institutional capacity within the programs to sustainably respond to the demand." |
