The project EQUAL Santé aligns with one of the main priorities presented in the 2018-2022 National AIDS Strategic Framework of Guinea: to ensure equitable access to sexual and reproductive health care for key populations. It aims to expand national coverage of health services and HIV treatment.
Context
The project EQUAL Santé targets the Boké and Kindia regions of Lower Guinea, which are characterized by high HIV prevalence rates among men who have sex with men (11.4%) and female sex workers (10.7%). These regions also experience high levels of discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV (79%), especially women (82.2%). In these areas, the Global Fund has established HIV testing and care structures: adapted health centers and community centers supported by mobile units and outreach clinics, which currently do not provide sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.
Description
The overarching goal of the project EQUAL Santé is to enhance national coverage by offering comprehensive, integrated HIV and SRH prevention, care, and treatment services for all key populations.
Impact
Access to an integrated SRH-HIV care pathway for key populations–such as sex workers, sexual and gender minorities, pregnant women, young girls, and women living with HIV–has been improved within care facilities and communities. The project EQUAL Santé also aims to incorporate SRH services into the HIV care pathway and establish a national reference framework that defines the conditions for sustainable and equitable access to comprehensive, quality SRH/HIV care services for key populations nationwide.
