National strategic plan for HIV and AIDS response

Bangladesh responded early and decisively to the potential threat of HIV. In the period since the adoption of the first national strategy in 1985, services have been established and scaled up, particularly for Most At Risk Populations (MARPs).

Most female sex workers and People Who Inject Drugs (PWID)) are in contact with services. Among developing countries, Bangladesh (based on recent population size estimations) has achieved among the highest level of needle/syringe distribution per PWID among developing countries in the world.

While there are weaknesses in the response and new challenges, the response to date has almost certainly reduced the level of HIV transmission and ensured many People Living with HIV (PLHIV) have received treatment.

This strategy has been developed within a results based framework. The goal of the strategy and overall impact will be:
 
By 2015, minimise the spread of HIV and minimize the impact of AIDS on the individual, family, community, and society.

The objectives are:
Implement services to prevent new HIV infections ensuring universal access

Provide universal access to treatment, care and support services for people infected and affected by HIV

Strengthen the coordination mechanisms and management capacity at different levels to ensure an effective multi-sector HIV/ AIDS response.
Strengthen the strategic information systems and research for an evidence based response

Section one describes the background of the strategy. The strategy builds upon lessons learnt over more than twenty years in responding to HIV in Bangladesh.

Section two outlines the principles guiding implementation. They are based on partnership across sectors in implementing an evidence based approach within a human rights framework.

Section three provides an overview of the current situation, key challenges in achieving the goal and the response approach of this strategy.

Key challenges are:
To scale up coverage for MARPs and improve quality of service delivery

To address emerging risk and higher vulnerability

To meet increased need over the next five years for treatment, care and support coverage and improve quality

The response approach is based on the following directions:
The National Strategic Plan will be used as a framework for a coordinated approach between government, implementing agencies other partners and donors across programs to scale up and improve service delivery.

Prevention outcomes will be enhanced by ensuring services are planned and delivered to achieve coverage targets, and systems are in place to address emerging challenges and improve quality of services

Increased need for treatment, care and support and improved quality will be met by facilitating involvement across sectors, improving coordination between service providers and providing specialist services

Management and coordination will be enhanced by improving communication between all players and strengthening the capacity of NASP

Stigma and discrimination will be reduce and multi-sector response strengthened through an enabling environment and advocacy

Capacity to implement the national HIV plan will be strengthened through a comprehensive approach to human resource development, health system strengthening and community system strengthening

Strategic information will be collected and used to guide all aspects of the national response.

The impact of gender will be addressed by ensuring age and gender appropriate services are provided and working in partnership with other sectors to advocate for gender equality across public policy

MARPs will continue to be the highest priority for prevention. However a range of emerging risk groups are also identified for whom specifically targeted interventions will be implemented.

These groups include:
International migrant workers
Heroin Smokers
Transport Workers
Especially vulnerable adolescents
Prisoners

Section four outlines the goals, objectives and strategies to be implemented. Goals, objectives and strategies have been set within a results based framework and are intended to provide clear direction for program implementation.

Section five describes the content of each strategy. The key issues to be addressed under each strategy and the response approach are outlined.

A results based framework is outlined in section six.
The framework illustrates the linkages between program outputs, outcomes and impact under each objective and provides indicators to measure results.

Bangladesh is one of the few countries in the developing world that has maintained low HIV prevalence through deliberate and concerted action.

This strategy provides a framework for harmonising the efforts of all partners to ensure that low HIV prevalence is maintained and people living with HIV (PLHIV) are provided with the best possible treatment and care.

Source: National AIDS/STD Programme (NASP)

National strategic plan for HIV and AIDS response

Bangladesh responded early and decisively to the potential threat of HIV. In the period since the adoption of the first national strategy in 1985, services have been established and scaled up, particularly for Most At Risk Populations (MARPs). Most female sex workers and People Who Inject Drugs (PWID)) are in contact with services. Among developing countries, Bangladesh (based on recent population size estimations) has achieved among the highest level of needle/syringe distribution per PWID among developing countries in the world. While there are weaknesses in the response and new challenges, the response to date has almost certainly reduced the level of HIV transmission and ensured many People Living with HIV (PLHIV) have received treatment. This strategy has been developed within a results based framework. The goal of the strategy and overall impact will be: By 2015, minimise the spread of HIV and minimize the impact of AIDS on the individual, family, community, and society. The objectives are: Implement services to prevent new HIV infections ensuring universal access Provide universal access to treatment, care and support services for people infected and affected by HIV Strengthen the coordination mechanisms and management capacity at different levels to ensure an effective multi-sector HIV/ AIDS response. Strengthen the strategic information systems and research for an evidence based response Section one describes the background of the strategy. The strategy builds upon lessons learnt over more than twenty years in responding to HIV in Bangladesh. Section two outlines the principles guiding implementation. They are based on partnership across sectors in implementing an evidence based approach within a human rights framework. Section three provides an overview of the current situation, key challenges in achieving the goal and the response approach of this strategy. Key challenges are: To scale up coverage for MARPs and improve quality of service delivery To address emerging risk and higher vulnerability To meet increased need over the next five years for treatment, care and support coverage and improve quality The response approach is based on the following directions: The National Strategic Plan will be used as a framework for a coordinated approach between government, implementing agencies other partners and donors across programs to scale up and improve service delivery. Prevention outcomes will be enhanced by ensuring services are planned and delivered to achieve coverage targets, and systems are in place to address emerging challenges and improve quality of services Increased need for treatment, care and support and improved quality will be met by facilitating involvement across sectors, improving coordination between service providers and providing specialist services Management and coordination will be enhanced by improving communication between all players and strengthening the capacity of NASP Stigma and discrimination will be reduce and multi-sector response strengthened through an enabling environment and advocacy Capacity to implement the national HIV plan will be strengthened through a comprehensive approach to human resource development, health system strengthening and community system strengthening Strategic information will be collected and used to guide all aspects of the national response. The impact of gender will be addressed by ensuring age and gender appropriate services are provided and working in partnership with other sectors to advocate for gender equality across public policy MARPs will continue to be the highest priority for prevention. However a range of emerging risk groups are also identified for whom specifically targeted interventions will be implemented. These groups include: International migrant workers Heroin Smokers Transport Workers Especially vulnerable adolescents Prisoners Section four outlines the goals, objectives and strategies to be implemented. Goals, objectives and strategies have been set within a results based framework and are intended to provide clear direction for program implementation. Section five describes the content of each strategy. The key issues to be addressed under each strategy and the response approach are outlined. A results based framework is outlined in section six. The framework illustrates the linkages between program outputs, outcomes and impact under each objective and provides indicators to measure results. Bangladesh is one of the few countries in the developing world that has maintained low HIV prevalence through deliberate and concerted action. This strategy provides a framework for harmonising the efforts of all partners to ensure that low HIV prevalence is maintained and people living with HIV (PLHIV) are provided with the best possible treatment and care. Source: National AIDS/STD Programme (NASP)