USAID Strengthening the Care Continuum Project

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Life Relief Foundation (LRF) is one of the key Civil Society Organization (CSO) partners working with JSI Research and Training Institute Inc. JSI in partnership with The Population Council, supports the efficient and effective control of the HIV epidemic, among key populations (KP). When awarded, the next phase of The USAID Strengthening the Care Continuum project will focus on both Key Populations (KP) and General Populations (GP).
Key populations include female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), and transgendered persons

 Geographic areas: Western region (Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis, Effia Kwesimintsim Municipality and Ahanta West Municipality)

Whilst General populations include priority and non-priority populations made up of non-paying partners (Non-PP) of FSWs, female partners of MSM, adolescent girls & young women (AGYW), men, boys and other women including pregnant women and PLHIV.
The mission of the ‘Care Continuum Project’ is to collaborate with the Government of Ghana (GoG), and its partners as well as major stakeholders to provide high-quality and comprehensive HIV services for KPs, priority and non-priority populations and people living with HIV (PLHIV).

During the 6-year period, focusing on these populations, Life Relief Foundation (LRF), FSW,

in its contribution to epidemic control reached a total of 18,201 tested 14,321, identified 791 positives and enrolled 677 on treatment. For priority and non–priority populations, LRF reached 53,676, tested 43,937, and identified 1,346 positives of which 392 (30%) were identified through index testing and 979 were enrolled on treatment. Also, during this period, LRF has supported 2,327 PLHIV back to care from over 15 different health facilities in STMA, EKMA and AWMA.

In addition to this, for viral load testing, a total of 2,510 samples were taken, receiving 1,158 results with 987 (90%) virally suppressed. On another note, 435 at-risk persons have been supported to take pre-exposure prophylaxis PrEP during this period.

• Creation of the Viral Load Calendar Alert system.
• Introduction of the Viral load colour coding system.
• Creation of a social mobilization strategy; The 3Cs Approach- Collection identity, Collective Action and Empowerment, Collective Ownership and Sustainability.
• Developing the Back to Care Campaign system.
• The establishment of community HIV Testing Services points during the COVID-19 era.
• The use of trained preventive nurses as case managers and HIV proficiency testing and improved linkage for ART.

• The use of social networks groups, queen mothers, men and boys, faith-based organizations and Community information centres for social mobilization to identify a new case finding.
• The taking of the client’s partners’ information during pre-test counselling for index contact testing.
• Introduction of the Community ART Distribution (CAD) to increase the uptake of HIV medication.
• Support the formation of ART, Back to Care and Community ART Distribution (CAD) teams.