Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2013 2014 2015 2016

Details for Mechanism ID: 17084
Country/Region: Asia Regional Program
Year: 2013
Main Partner: U.S. Department of Defense
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: Other USG Agency
Funding Agency: USDOD
Total Funding: $220,000

Department of Defense (DOD), through the Defence Attachés Office (DAO) in Vientiane, focuses on the provision of technical assistance and training for HIV prevention, testing and counseling, lab support and blood safety, and strategic information to the Lao People's Army (LPA). The DOD program in Laos is a collaborative effort between DOD, LPA's Military Medical Department (LPA/ MMD), and the Laos Ministry of Health's Center for HIV/ AIDS/ STIs (MOH/ CHAS). This collaboration began in FY 2010, with Defense Health Appropriation (DHP) funds.

The LPA HIV prevention activities are conducted in collaboration with MOH/ CHAS and focus on training of trainers and peer educators, the development and dissemination of prevention materials, and condom distribution. HIV prevention education will also be introduced into the curriculum for basic training of new recruits. In addition to HIV prevention activities, the program is expanding on HIV testing and counseling. There will be an expansion in training of testers/ counselors, as well as an increase in the number of active duty personnel and their dependants who are reached through the testing and counseling initiative. Testing and counseling will also be included in the new recruits' health screening.DOD also supports the capacity building of the LPA/ MMD and MOH blood safety program through the training of lab technicians and procurement of blood testing and storage equipment for the National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC). Finally, DOD is providing technical guidance and support to LPA in conducting a HIV Seroprevalence and Behavioral Epidemiology Risk Survey (SABERS). Data from the survey will be used to characterise HIV and other STI risk in the LPA and to develop more tailored prevention activities.

Funding for Laboratory Infrastructure (HLAB): $5,000

Expansion of training 40 LPA laboratory technicians

Renovation of LPA laboratory and equipments

Funding for Strategic Information (HVSI): $75,000

Conducting SABERS for LPA

Dissemination of the survey result and publish report

Leadership development ( support LPA/CHAS official staff to attend HIV/AIDS workshop, etc)

Midterm and annual meeting to review the progress of the program

Funding for Health Systems Strengthening (OHSS): $10,000

Leadership development ( support LPA/CHAS official staff to attend HIV/AIDS workshop, etc)

Funding for Biomedical Prevention: Blood Safety (HMBL): $30,000

Expansion blood safety workshop for 70 LPA participants

Procurement of blood safety equipment, reagents, etc. to facilitate expansion of testing of HIV and hepatitis to 2,500 soldiers

Funding for Testing: HIV Testing and Counseling (HVCT): $35,000

Expanding voluntary counseling and test training for 30 LPA health care providers

Conducting health screening with testing and counseling of 2,500 new recruits, as well as expansion of testing and counseling service for active military dependents in 18 provinces

Funding for Sexual Prevention: Other Sexual Prevention (HVOP): $65,000

Expanding training of trainers (TOT) for LPA in the Southern, Central and Northern provinces (total 80 trainers)

Training, and refresher training of peer educators for LPA (800 peer educators)

Dissemination of prevention messages/materials to 5,000 soldiers in the 18 provinces in Laos

Dissemination of condoms to soldiers who do not have read access condom facility

Procurement of prevention materials such as posters, handouts, flipcharts, etc.

Key Issues Identified in Mechanism
Implement activities to change harmful gender norms & promote positive gender norms
Increase gender equity in HIV prevention, care, treatment and support
Military Populations