1. LINKAGES
Across the Continuum of HIV Services for Key Populations Affected by HIV
July 2016
Steeve LAGUERRE
LINKAGES-HAITI COP

2. LINKAGES IN HAITI
HIV prevalence among Haïti’s general population is 2.2%
HIV prevalence among key populations (KP) in Haiti:
Female sex workers (FSW) – 8.7%
Men who have sex with men (MSM) – 12.9%
High level of discrimination and stigmatization against KPs limits uptake of HIV services

3. LINKAGES IN HAITI
Goal: Accelerate the ability of  governments, KP organizations, and private sector providers to plan, deliver and optimize services that reduce HIV transmission among MSM and FSW, and extend life for those who are HIV-positive
The interventions are tailored into the HIV cascade of services, focusing on prevention, care and treatment

4. LINKAGES-HAITI IMPLEMENTING SITES

5. LINKAGES-HAITI INTERVENTION APPROACH
Through a consortium of 5 local implementing partners, access to HIV related services to FSW and MSM along the cascade is promoted.
In the context of KPs in Haïti, the best approach to promote prevention service delivery is the Community-based approach, which includes the following strategies:
Peer education
Community mobilization
Mass sensitizations on HIV prevention, gender-based violence, stigma and discrimination

6. LINKAGES-HAITI PROJECT INTERVENTION APPROACH
On the clinical side, care and treatment services are promoted through two models that have been prioritized:
3 stand alone KP clinics: FOSREF (FSW only), SEROvie (MSM only), and FEBS (FSW and MSM)
2 preferred providers targeting FSW and MSM: GHESKIO and Zanmi Lasante (PIH)
In addition, the project promotes advocacy to sensitize the government, the judiciary system, and civil society organizations in order to address KP needs and rights as human beings and to reduce stigma and discrimination

7. LINKAGES-HAITI INTERVENTION RESULTS

8. ENGAGING KEY POPULATIONS IN THE HIV RESPONSE
Increasing presence of KP organizations/network to support KP-led service delivery in Haiti
LINKAGES mobilizes KP-peer educators from each partner organization to reach KPs with HIV information and referrals.
KPs facilitate stigma and discrimination trainings for service providers
Organizational development trainings of KP-led organizations strengthen their capacity to offer HIV information and services

9. CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNT
Haitian Government, CBOs, and private sector are not yet active in advocating for KP rights and promoting safer legal and social environment to diminish discrimination and stigmatization based on sexual orientation or practices
Tracking KPs retention trough the cascade of HIV care is challenging due to the weakness of the referral mechanism within the health care system
Health providers lacks skills to address KP specific needs

10. CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNT
Urgent need for LINKAGES-Haiti to start providing directly care, support and treatment services to KPs through its implementing partners
Hotspots validation and Micro planning activities are a key strategy to ensure effective coverage of targeted KPs
“Test and Start” will play a huge role in increasing the access of KPs living with HIV to care and ART

11. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!