Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Details for Mechanism ID: 11049
Country/Region: Ghana
Year: 2012
Main Partner: U.S. Department of Defense
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: Other USG Agency
Funding Agency: USDOD
Total Funding: $190,000

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) play a vital role in national security, peacekeeping operations throughout the continent, and humanitarian assistance/disaster mnagement. The GAF comprises 12,000 troops, most of whom are in the sexually active age range of 19-49 years old. The GAF is a key segment of Ghanaian socoety at increased risk of HIV, due to their relatively young age, dependable salary and and mobility. Department of Defense's (DoD) partnership with the GAF will support the Partnership Framework goals of preventing new infections for the GAF personnel and their families, supporting testing and counseling services, creating linkages between care and treatment services, improving laboratory capabilities, strengthening TB surveillance and strengthening health management systems.

Funding for Care: Adult Care and Support (HBHC): $25,000

DoD will support care activities that include a support group for HIV positives (PLHIV) and will provide referrals for care and treatment services for the GAF personnel and their families. The support group was formed in 2010 with monthly meetings at an offbase venue where military and military family members living with HIV/AIDS can meet in a relaxed atmosphere and where civil society/NGO support groups make presentations about available services. DoD will also support training of the GAF staff ( nurses) on care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. Proposed activities include: 1) Resume Quarterly/monthly support group meetings at off base location (to reduce stigma). 2) Train all staff on the new PMTCT and HIV treatment guidelines in Ghana. 3) Train midwives on HIV screening. 4) Support for income generating activities for PLHIV. 5) Prevention with positives (PwP): educating PLHIV to reduce risk of transmitting HIV to others.

Funding for Care: Orphans and Vulnerable Children (HKID): $10,000

DoD will support the GAF's military wives' clubs identification of military widows and orphans/vulnerable children and the promotion of referrals to civilian OVC services and suport. School fees, uniforms and supplies will be funded for a small group of OVCs. This will be a continuation of a program initiated in 2010. Proposed activities include: 1) Continue and expand the existing program mentioned above; Previous eligibility criteria included only orphans and children with one parent remaning; would like to include some children with two parents ( at least one of whom is HIV positive) due to the financial hardship of these families.

Funding for Care: TB/HIV (HVTB): $50,000

DoD will work with the GAF to improve surveillance and diagnostic capabilities for TB. In order to improve TB diagnostic capabilities at the 37th Military Hospital, DoD will support the procurement of equipment such as Cyscope, TB microscope with cameras, computer equipments, personal protective equipment for health care providers, and TB test kits. In addition, DoD will assist in developing, printing and disseminating a screening tool to improve TB case findings as well as training health care providers. Currently, patients are required to pay for some TB diagnostic testing so DoD will procure x-ray equipment so that patient will not have to pay and will be more likely to get tested. Proposed activities include: 1) Purchase of PPE, small lab suplies ( Mantoux test, frosted slides), fluorescent microscopes and nebulizer. 2) Training of staff on infection control. 3) Purchase of a computer for data management and case tracking. 4) Purchase of GeneXpert system. 5) Support for screening tool for case finding, increased support for DOT, funds to pay for screening x-rays for HIV+ patients.

Funding for Laboratory Infrastructure (HLAB): $25,000

DoD will support the continued improvement of laboratory infrastucture for the GAF. Funds will be used to procure reagents, consumables and equipments for the 37th Military hospital in Accra and a renovated lab in Takoradi. Proposed activities include: 1) Reagents, consumables and maintenance contracts for lab equipments. 2) Start accreditation process for the 37th Military hospital lab in Accra.

Funding for Strategic Information (HVSI): $10,000

DoD is working with the GAF to provide for epidemiology and data analysis training as well as supporting integration of the GAF into the national M&E system. Support to the GAF will include procurement of computers for better tracking of program data, training of GAF personnel on the national M&E sysstem and epidemiological training that will allow the GAF to begin planning surveillance activities. Computers were puechased previously to strengthen the system. Proposed activities include: 1) Provision of computers will be provided in military facilities outside Accra. 2) Support meeting of garrison focal points to train on the M&E system.

Funding for Testing: HIV Testing and Counseling (HVCT): $30,000

The DoD program will support the testing of approximately 7,000 individuals for HIV including 4,5000 troops preparing for peace keeping operations. The GAF's campaign is entitled "Know Your Status" and encourages HIV testing as well as teaching prevention methods. The campaign is supported in seven areas throughout Ghana. Funds will be used to support testing and education capabilities. Proposed activities: 1) Provide rapid diagnostic test kits with supplemental equipment (lancets, alcohol pads) for the "Know Your Status" campaign. 2) Provide "Know Your Status" lapel pins. 3) Reproduce booklets for distribution during counseling sessions. 4) Extend " Know your Status" campaign to conflict regions in the north.

Funding for Sexual Prevention: Other Sexual Prevention (HVOP): $20,000

Prevention efforts for the GAF are closely tied to UN peacekeeping activities and the GAF has assumed financial responsibility for the peer educator program and predeployment HIV related peacekeeper training, and has expanded it to include presentations at base wife's clubs. The GAF includes education on correct condom use as part of the peer educator program and issues condoms to all active duty forces and they do not request additional funds to support this effort. The campaign that the GAF supports is entitled "Know Your Status". Funds requested by DoD will support the production costs for new posters, video production, and other prevention training materials as well as technical assistance needed to improve prevention messaging and this would include monitoring and evaluating of their prevention programs. Proposed activities include: 1) Support " know your status" campaign activities during World AIDS Day/Month, including training and quiz activities. 2) Provide billboards with HIV/AIDS awareness message for all garrisons. 3) Peer education training (PEPLA): In partnership with Public Affairs to support Wendy Arnold to come and do peer educator training for the teachers at the garrison schools in Accra, Takoradi and other military facilities.

Funding for Biomedical Prevention: Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (MTCT): $20,000

DoD will support GAF to increase access to prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) services in military settings. PMTCT services will be integrated into existing infrastructure in military HIV/AIDS service delivery sites. The military will offer a standard package of PMTCT services to pregnant women including counseling and testing with informed consent, male partner and family centered testing. Proposed activities include: 1) Train all staffs on the new PMTCT and HIV treatment guidelines in Ghana. 2) Train midwives on HIV screening. 3) Follow up on all exposed HIV babies born with mothers living with HIV to determine their HIV status at 18 months. 4) All pregnant women attending antenatal clinics will receive basic education on AIDS as well as the importance of preventing mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV.

Cross Cutting Budget Categories and Known Amounts Total: $50,000
Human Resources for Health $50,000
Key Issues Identified in Mechanism
Increasing women's access to income and productive resources
Military Populations
Tuberculosis