AIC Forms more Partnerships for Better Service Delivery.

AIDS Information recently built partnerships with other organizations to increase HCT uptake and reach more people with services. It is hoped that through these partnerships AIC will be able to reach more people with services and also build capacity of such organizations to offer similar services. Among the partnerships created include:

Strengthening of Tuberculosis and AIDS Response in Eastern Uganda (STAR-E)

AIC signed an MOU with Management Sciences for Health (MSH) for nine months effective (January 2010 - 30 September 2010) to implement an HIV/AIDS program under STAR-E in Eastern region targeting 30,000 clients with HCT. The program is covering the districts of Busia, Bukwo, Kapchorwa, Mbale, Budaka, Sironko, Butaleja, Bududa and Busia.

The main focus of the MOU includes:

* Capacity building for effective HCT service delivery through improved planning with the communities to divide roles between AIC and the selected communities;
* Support to HCT outreach programs and quality assurance.
* Support to coordination activities aimed at improving reporting and giving the feedback to stakeholders.

MJAP

AIC signed an MOU with MJAP for period October 2009 - 30 September 2010 to support the AIC branches of Arua, Soroti and Mbale to reach 200,000 clients with HCT. The MOU focuses on four main technical areas:

* Capacity building for effective HCT service delivery through supervision of trained cadres in Health units to strengthen their skills, knowledge and competencies;
* Support to HCT outreach programs targeting MARPS through CBOs and selected health facilities and RCT at the health centres;
* Establish and strengthen "Post Test Clubs" to Scale up community response to HIV prevention;
* Strengthening systems in the districts through Human resources, M&E, data management, community response and Supply Chain Management

UNFPA/PACE

AIC has signed an MOU with PACE to implement a program on sexual reproductive health and HIV services in the districts of Oyam, Moroto and Mubende with funding from UNFPA.

UNICEF

UNICEF provided supported AIC with CD4 reagents to support palliative care services to HIV positive clients in AIC branches. The following items were received.

* FACS Clean solution,9X5 Litres
* FACs flow fluids,33X20
* FACS Count solution,9X5
* FACS Count reagents,180 X50 Tests
* FACS count controls, 45X25 Tests
* Vacutainer needles,10X1000
* Vacutainer needle holders, 4.15X1000
* Alcohol Swabs,100X100
* Pipette Tips, 61X1000
* Gloves (Examination),100X100

The consignment is expected to ensure continuous supply of the reagents to AIC branches for one year.