Voluntary counseling and testing for HIV: a strategic framework

Strategies for building a framework for HIV voluntary testing and counselling

This document describes FHI’s strategy and contribution to the efforts to improve HIV counseling and testing (VCT) services.

FHI’s approach is to:

Support countries in the following policy areas:

advocacy for VCT services to policymakers, and leaders at various levels
development of national guidelines on HIV counselling and testing
development of standardised HIV counseling training curricula
development of appropriate VCT training materials
involvement of the community to promote acceptability of VCT services, acceptance of those living with HIV/AIDS, and reduction of stigma and discrimination

Support countries in the following service promotion areas:

use of appropriate media to advertise and promote VCT services to increase demand for VCT

Support countries in the following VCT service areas

assess the availability, quality and use of existing VCT services if any

design, implementation and scaling up of high quality VCT services

training of counselors in risk-reduction counselling as well as in personal emotional support techniques

training of laboratory personnel

providing support for quality assurance (e.g. quality control for HIV testing; supervision and quality control for HIV counseling)

development of directory of care and support services to facilitate referrals

establish/promote linkages between VCT services and other care and support services as appropriate

Support countries in the following research and evaluation areas:

provide ongoing technical assistance to improve the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of VCT services
support the development of a limited number of VCT sites as learning centers and use experience gained from doing to expand VCT services in the country
support collection and dissemination of lessons learned

The report further illustrates FHI’s undertakings related to VCT in West Africa (Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Togo, Burkina Faso), Kenya, Zimbabwe and Rwanda. It offers processes for monitoring and evaluation and for linkages and partnerships.

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Voluntary counseling and testing for HIV: a strategic framework