Regional HIV/AIDS Programme 2008 Bangladesh Red Crescent Society

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1 Regional HIV/AIDS Programme 2008 Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Context Bangladesh, a country with a population of nearly 142 million, is one of the most densely populated countries on the globe. Around 26.5 per cent of its population is made up of adolescents and youth between 10 to 24 years. The first HIV infected case was detected in Bangladesh in Since then around 1,250 cases have been confirmed and reported, with women taking one third of the total number. However, the estimated number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) is around 11,000 (6,400-18,000) (source Epidemiological fact sheet WHO & UNAIDS 2006). Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) is implementing a HIV programme, mainly focusing on awareness creation in target communities. However, the country s vulnerability is very high. Widespread use of injecting drugs and above all, lack of adequate awareness of the deadly disease is also disturbing. Unsafe sex, mainly with sex workers, and blood transfusion carried out without proper checks are major sources of concern. In addition, high risk behaviours are very common among the general population while condom awareness and usage is very low. Most high risk groups, such as sex workers, heroin consumers, and mobile workers such as rickshaw pullers and truckers have a lack of knowledge of the virus and how it is spread. 1

2 Beneficiaries World Blood Donor Day 14 June 2008: 1,800 beneficiaries (observed in six BDRCS blood centres). World AIDS Day 1 December 2008: 15,000 beneficiaries (observed in Jessore, Bagerhat, Shatkhira, Cox s Bazar, Sylhet, Khulna city, Rajshahi city, Tangail, Jamalpur, and Habigonj). Youth volunteers through youth peer education (YPE) training: 298 beneficiaries. Outcome/Outputs Activities in 2008 are carried out under four outputs: Output 1 Preventing further HIV infection: Four districts which have been selected for the programme implementation in 2008 have conducted the training of trainers to its youth volunteers who are conducting YPE trainings. Sl no Training activities No. of participants Male Female Total 01 YPE on HIV/AIDS & Life skills ToT at Jessore Dated: January, Sylhet unit ToT training. Dated :16-17 March, Jessore unit YPE training. Dated: April, Jessore YPE training. Dated: May, YPE on HIV/AIDS & Life skills ToT at Cox's Bazar Dated: June, Jessore YPE training. Dated: June, Jessore YPE training

3 Dated: July, Jessore YPE training. Dated: August, Jessore YPE training. Dated: August, Cox's Bazar YPE training. Dated: October, 2008 by the Ashar Alo Society Output 2 Expanding HIV treatment, care, and support, the BDRCS and International Federation have agreed to support PLHIV and their families through the Ashar Alo Society (a PLHIV network) in Sylhet division by income generation activities according to the proposal submitted Output 3 Reducing HIV stigma and discrimination The street play during World AIDS Day mainly focused on reducing stigma and discrimination among the observers. In every YPE training and training of trainers, stigma and discrimination sessions play an important role, especially when PLHIV share their experience in forums and communities. Output 4 Strengthening BDRCS capacities to deliver and sustain scaled-up HIV programme. Formation of the national society HIV steering committee and its regular meetings have improved the governance, accountability and to discharge planned commitments. The national society HIV coordinator and the Dhaka blood bank coordinator have been trained as master trainers on HIV prevention care and support to support the programme activity. 3

4 Progress and achievements As part of its activities on HIV prevention through YPE, a training of trainers on life skills and HIV was conducted among volunteers in Jessore, Sylhet, and Cox s Bazar district units. The volunteers are now training youth peer educators. Tea garden workers have been selected as a new target group and four workers from four gardens has been trained in YPE training in Sylhet. They will now work in the community. In line with HIV prevention activities, voluntary non-remunerated blood donation through six Red Crescent blood centres in six districts has increased. Taking the care and support component of the regional HIV programme forward, talks are on-going with the Asher Alo Society to support income generation activities for PLHIV. As part of its efforts on advocacy to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination, World AIDS Day 2008 was observed in BDRCS through street plays in five different locations of the town, rallies, seminars, art competition, and blood donation programme, amongst others. As a positive example of improved coordination and strengthening national society efforts to deliver the HIV programme, a steering committee for the HIV programme has been formed for better management and four meetings were held. Eight new districts have been selected for the programme implementation in Constraints or challenges Cultural and religious ethos. The programme has experience some constraints at the implementation level as the volunteers demand per month incentive. Best practices and lessons learned Targeted groups like youth and tea gardeners have been involved in the programme implementation and they can play specific roles to reduce the burden of HIV. 4

5 HIV-related stigma and discrimination is reducing among the volunteers, staffs and the implementing groups. Partnerships Organization Partnership component Area of partnership Ashar Alo Society PLHIVnetwork Taking care of 20 PLHIV and their families through income generation activities (IGA) with support from the International Federation through BDRCS The Global Alliance on HIV is implemented through units by training Red Crescent youth volunteers and community members. Local government officials, like civil surgeons, districts AIDS committee members and other partner organizations, are also aware about the programme. Looking ahead Orientation in life skills to the volunteers, staff and officers will act as a base for the programme output. Stigma and discrimination is mounting in PLHIV families and neighbours should be addressed. Proper planning and stuffing will give momentum of the programme. 5