By Patricia Anebi (Acting STL Sokoto)

Key Population Community HIV Services for Action and Response (SFH-KP- CARE 2) Project is providing integrated HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support in six states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states in strategic alliance with partner healthcare facilities referred to as community clinical service assistant points (CCSAPs).

CCSAPs are KP-competent public, private or faith-based health facilities that provide rights-based and gender responsive comprehensive HIV prevention, treatment, and care services to KPs in a non-discriminatory manner as a sustainable and exit mechanism for the project. They serve as spokes to the OSS which is the hub. Creating inclusive health services requires sensitizing and educating providers and other staff members in health care and social services. Improving and maintaining providers’ attitudes and skills is a continual process consisting of multiple components such as formal training events, job aids, supportive supervision, training follow-up and mentorship.

The capacity of 22 CCSAPs in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states was built on the new national treatment guideline during a 5-days residential training. The thematic areas covered included HIV testing services, same day linkage to care and continuity of treatment, viral load management, laboratory and commodities logistics, management of co-morbidities, gender equity, legal and human rights, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) strategic information and documentation, ancillary services like cervical cancer management and screening, mental health amongst others. The training will be stepped down to other partner health facilities in all the local government of the states.