VMMC CHALLENGE; UGANDA
PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED
Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision.
Learn more about the VMMC Challenge and why scaling up voluntary medical male circumcision can substantially reduce the rate of HIV acquisition for men, and also reduce the risk of transmission of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) to the men’s partners.
DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION
Uganda remains a priority country for VMMC with low circumcision prevalence. Between 2011 and 2015, the percentage of circumcised men aged 15 - 49 years increased from 26% to 43%. However, in the northern districts of Uganda, the prevalence remains at 14%. The HIV rate in the same region is 7.2%.
The lower numbers of men accessing VMMC services is attributed to the weak links between newly identified clients and facilities, inadequate staff and capacities resulting in missed opportunities, and inadequate counseling. There is a need to further create demand for VMMC services to reach the target communities.
Community Health Movement Uganda will take a two-pronged approach. First, they will raise awareness about VMMC in rural communities with local populations and among front line health workers who can refer patients to health facilities. Next, they will train both front line health workers and health workers in health facilities to support VMMC uptake. The project will employ the approach of utilizing female health promoters who are well-respected within their communities to create demand for VMMC services with tailored messaging.
In the pilot phase, Community Health Movement reached 200 men with VMMC services. Leveraging on the key lessons learned Community Health Movemement has been able to scale up VMMC interventions in 10 health facilities out of the 25 facilities in the intervention districts.
PILOT AND SCALING GOALS
Increase access to VMMC services to 200 men during the pilot
Train 40 health workers to administer VMMC services
Reach 10,000 men with VMMC services by the end of year 2
FOUNDING TEAM
Ronald Tibiita - Executive Director
Richard Kagimu - Project Manager
James Kaggwa - Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Tracy Kobukindo - Finance Officer