Zambia

The HIV/AIDS Total Management Model (ATOMM) expounds the need for comprehensive, client-centered HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support services. From May 2004, JOICFP has been executing an ATOMM project in Zambia, implemented by the Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ) with support from IPPF and FIDR.

On 21st and 22nd April 2005, project inauguration ceremonies were held in the project districts of Lufwanyama and Masaiti, respectively. Pia Agestedt, HIV/AIDS Associate Advisor, IPPF Africa Region attended, along with Dr. Chandwe Ng'ambi, Provincial Health Director, who hailed the project in its contribution to helping realize the MDGs.

Dr. Ng'ambi (right) gives a congratulatory message
during the inauguration ceremony

The project has already started to show success. For example, in Lufwanyama, the number of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) clients soared from eight in the third quarter of 2004 to 259 in the fourth quarter.

The successful introduction of ATOMM was in part due to the good relationship among the district health management teams, PPAZ, and JOICFP. Since 1985 in Masaiti and 2001 in Lufwanyama, JOICFP has supported the Integrated Project (IP) implemented by PPAZ, and trained over 300 health service volunteers such as community-based distribution agents (CBDAs), peer educators, and traditional birth attendants. This wide network was utilized to promote ATOMM.

The ATOMM project has provided training to district health personnel for psychosocial counseling, orientation for school teachers to the project, sensitizing of community leaders, and to CBDAs and peer educators. The project will retrain CBDAs and peer educators for effective BCC and advocacy for VCT and to reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. It is expected that integration of HIV/AIDS and SRH programs will be further strengthened and that the success of ATOMM will continue as the project progresses.

Ghana

In 2003, the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) handed over its IP implemented in the Central Region to the government General Health Service. In 2004, PPAG started a new project in Ahafo Ano South District, Ashanti Region.

In the sub-district of Mpasaaso, ATOMM is being introduced alongside community-operated reproductive health (CoRH). Although the rural health center (RHC) is unable to provide VCT yet, clients can be referred to the district hospital.

The relatively slow spread of HIV/AIDS in Ghana has meant that services such as VCT are less prevalent than, for example, in Zambia, though Ghana is expected to deliver VCT services to all of its 110 districts.

Some staff in Mpasaaso RHC have received training to deliver psychosocial counseling, and some community-based service agents and community members have been trained to provide support for people living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, a local steering committee has been established for the project. It is expected that VCT services will be available in Mpasaaso sub-district.

A prevention of mother to child transmission program has also been introduced in the district hospital, which contributes to realization of the ATOMM concept.

JOICFP staff discussing ATOMM and stigma
attached to HIV/AIDS with community members
in the project site in Ghana