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PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti — As one of the first international NGOs to lead a prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) project, PSI, with funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development, launched an innovative pilot PMTCT program in Haiti to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS to newborn children. For implementation, PSI selected network partners from public, private and NGO sectors. Seven hospitals and clinics form a close-knit referral network in Port-au-Prince. Services include prenatal care, voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), short course antiretroviral therapy, safe labor and delivery practices, infant feeding counseling and services, family planning, and psychosocial support for HIV+ women. PMTCT services are integrated into existing antenatal care facilities to enhance project sustainability. What makes PSI's Haiti project so unique is the use of a franchised referral network. This means that pilot sites are not isolated, but instead, unified under the same communications plan and standard of care, and linked for referrals. For instance, providers offering only prenatal care and VCT refer clients to another institution offering delivery services. The network model enables increased access, high quality services, effective referrals and follow up, and the capacity to rapidly add institutions. In order to create demand for services, PSI is promoting the PMTCT network using the branded logo Espwa Lavi. This means "hope for life" in Haitian Creole. The brand is positioned to provide quality services for pregnant women, new mothers and infants. PSI uses a creative mix of communication methods. For example, community-based activities take place around project sites while radio spots reach many women and families. PSI is also designing a nationwide mass media campaign to increase knowledge about vertical transmission and its prevention, reinforce primary prevention messages, encourage VCT, and reduce discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS. The campaign aims not only to reduce vertical transmission, but to promote healthier attitudes and behavior regarding HIV, capitalizing on the synergy of these two important public health goals. PSI works collaboratively to carry out comprehensive training. A leading HIV/AIDS research and training center in Haiti, the Centre GHESKIO, conducts PMTCT training for providers at hospitals and clinics. Beyond clinic walls, PSI is training traditional birth attendants to educate their communities and refer clients to network sites for testing and delivery. PSI is providing other essential training such as commodities and distribution, monitoring and evaluation, and communications. The PMTCT pilot project tests a model for rapid scale-up, and raises awareness of vertical transmission. PSI is working in partnership with the Ministry of Health, U.N. agencies, NGOs and the private sector to integrate this project into Haiti's national PMTCT program. PSI began HIV prevention activities in Haiti in 1989 and has continually
expanded its social marketing of HIV/AIDS related products and services.
—Elizabeth Beachy, Country Technical Advisor for PSI/Haiti
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