The components that make up The National HIV/STI Control Programme are:
Prevention
This component examines and addressed how underlying factors influence risk-taking or appropriate behavior, what strategies are effective in changing or sustaining behavior and how best to replicate successful strategies. This component also examines reasons for a lack of behavior change in some areas despite behavior change communication (BCC) efforts. Key to prevention efforts is for individuals to have the self-efficacy to adopt and maintain appropriate behaviours.
Treatment and Care
The component is designed to improve the quality and length of life for persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). It also aims to provide same-day voluntary counselling & testing (Rapid Test) as well as supportive interventions to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Enabling Environment & Human Rights
An enabling environment is one in which all Jamaicans regardless of real or perceived HIV status can be facilitated by policies, programmes and supportive legislation to reduce their risk of infection or re-infection and to access needed treatment and care. The objective of this component is to create the conditions for a more open, tolerant and supportive society regarding HIV/AIDS issues and the rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). While the development of a national policy and legal framework is central to this component, the treatment of PLWHA in their communities and families is also a matter of priority. Reducing stigma and discrimination and creating a supportive environment for those infected or affected by the virus.
Empowerment & Governance
Empowerment & Governance covers three main areas: Monitoring and Evaluation, the Lab Information and Waste Management System.
Monitoring & Evaluation
The Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) unit is a multidisciplinary team consisting of an M&E Director and Officer, Database Officers, a Biostatistician, Surveillance Officer and Data Entry Clerks. The main objective of the unit is to establish a single M&E system for the National HIV /STI programme with clear roles and responsibilities outlined and to provide a clearing house for all HIV-related data. The combination of skilled personnel in the M&E unit enables the NHP to develop and implement databases in-house, conduct research and analyze data from stakeholders for programme planning. The M&E unit continues to provide support to all stakeholders in order to strengthen our information system and increase our capacity to use all available data for better decision-making.
Lab Information System
This component is designed to improve the technical, managerial and implementation capacity of key players involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Support will be directed at strengthening the blood bank system to continue to provide safe blood, improving the National Public Health Laboratory’s capability and efficiency, strengthening surveillance systems and expanding the monitoring and evaluation capability.
Waste Management System
The National HIV/STI Programme recently completed the construction of the first in region, alternative “non-incineration” Medical Waste Treatment Facility aimed at improving the management of medical waste in Jamaica. The facility, “Ministry of Health/Medical Waste Treatment Facility: South-East Region”, is located at the corner of Drummond/Princess Street opposite the Kingston Public & Victoria Jubilee Hospitals (KPH/VJH). The facility will provide medical wasted collection and treatment services to all public healthcare facilities within the South-East Region with a state of the art environmentally friendly Steam Sterilization and Shredding System.