ST. VINCENT SNF THE GRENADINES HIV/AIDS PREVENTION AND CONTROL

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The objective of the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Project is to support the national program aimed at preventing and to controlling the spread of the epidemic, and to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the disease. The project will use a two pronged strategy: targeting interventions at high risk groups, and implementing non-targeted activities for the general population. Successful achievement of the development objective will: (a) have high risk groups use safe sexual practices; (b) enhance knowledge in the general population of the negative societal and family impact of the disease; (c) prolong the lives of infected persons and provide care and support to their families; and, (d) reduce the degree of stigma and discrimination associated with the disease. Through its components, the project will: 1) scale-up HIV/AIDS responsiveness, empowering civil society groups to respond effectively to the HIV/AIDS epidemic by providing support to communities and groups difficult to reach through regular public services, particularly high risk commercial sex workers (CSW), men having sex with men (MSM), prisoners and vulnerable groups (orphans and youth); 2) scale-up responsiveness by line ministries, through support such ministries expand the HIV/AIDS initiatives, namely on information, education, communication/ behavior changes, condom distribution; care for the infected and affected families; and work place policy formulation, including reduction of stigma and discrimination; 3) strengthen the health sector response to HIV/AIDS by upgrading and expanding HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment (including anti-retroviral therapy) and care services delivered through the health care system; and, 4) support institutional capacity building for the coordination and management of the National HIV/AIDS Program, including strengthening program monitoring and evaluation.