The Initiative and Solthis, a long-standing partnership for global health
This year, Solthis is 20 years old. In this context, L’Initiative wishes a happy birthday to one of the partners with whom it works. The Initiative is pleased to celebrate a long-standing partnership, consisting of a series of commitments to combat HIV and sexually transmitted infections, the health of populations, particularly those most at risk, in resource-limited countries, and their access to quality health services.
From fighting HIV to improving overall health
Founded in 2003 by physician-researchers from the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital, Solthis is a French non-governmental organization (NGO) for international solidarity. It began its work by devoting itself to the fight against HIV.
For 20 years, Solthis has been working hand in hand with local stakeholders in West and Central Africa on prevention and access to quality care by sustainably strengthening health systems and services.
Today, Solthis focuses its action around two health priorities: infectious and emerging diseases (HIV, Tuberculosis, Covid-19, hepatitis B, etc.) and sexual and reproductive rights and health as well as child health. In parallel, Solthis is exploring the operationalization of the “ One Health ” concept, to contribute to better human, animal and environmental health.
A long-standing, fruitful collaboration
The collaboration between Expertise France, and in particular L’Initiative, and Solthis has been an important factor in the conduct of our actions in favor of global health. Since 2012, L’Initiative has supported eight projects led by Solthis, with a total financial commitment of 8,674,637 euros .
These projects covered a wide range of areas, from the fight against HIV to the promotion of sexual and reproductive health, including laboratory support and the continuity of health services during epidemics.
Let’s look back at some examples of projects led by Solthis and funded by L’Initiative since its creation.
Among them, the JADES project (Jeunes et ADolescents En Santé). This project, in partnership with the NGO Lafia Matassa, ASDAP and ARCAD-SIDA, has improved the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents in Mali and Niger, two countries where young people are particularly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The JADES project has enabled prevention, training and tutoring actions, led by peers trained in sexual and reproductive health issues, at school and elsewhere. These actions aimed to raise awareness and empower young people so that they can make informed decisions about their health, while fighting against gender inequalities and taboos surrounding sexuality. As part of this project, a photographic exhibition was set up in Niamey and then in Paris to raise awareness and mobilize around sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
In Guinea, while adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 in sub-Saharan Africa represent 2/3 of new HIV infections, only 15.2% of young girls have knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention compared to 33.8% of young boys. In this context, Solthis is leading a project supported by L’Initiative. The PAJES project , in partnership with the Association of Bloggers of Guinea (Ablogui), strengthens associative structures and the capacities of young people in terms of training, animation and advocacy in favor of SRHR.
Finally, let us mention the Labo 2S project which has contributed to improving access to care for people living with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis by strengthening laboratory services in Niger.
Beyond the projects, a solid partnership
The collaboration between L’Initiative and Solthis is not limited to funded projects. In parallel with the implementation of programs funded or co-funded by L’Initiative, Solthis has become a highly valued player in providing technical assistance: by the end of 2022, the NGO had signed
28 technical assistance contracts with L’Initiative, for nearly
€1.9 million. This technical assistance has strengthened local health capacities in countries such as Niger, Madagascar and Côte d’Ivoire.
The Initiative, still engaged
As part of this celebration, The Initiative reaffirms its commitment to continue this common mission of fighting HIV and STIs, promoting sexual and reproductive health, and improving global health in general.
As with all our partners, we, L’Initiative, are grateful to Solthis for its dedication and expertise, and happy to continue working hand in hand for a healthy common future .
