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Senegal
Despite the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Joint Team in Senegal continued to support the national HIV response with a focus on building the capacity of healthcare providers and communities to improve HIV services and address stigma and discrimination in the country. On-site mentoring missions to 22 healthcare facilities and training of 82 healthcare providers improved prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) and paediatric HIV services. As part of these missions, 175 children received individual consultations and psychosocial support while 383 children living with HIV had their treatment plans updated and received nutrition kits and reimbursement for transportation expenses (UNICEF). In Kolda and Ziguinchor regions, 65 healthcare providers were trained and delivering differentiated and gender-specific services for women and girls living with HIV (UN Women). On-site coaching of head nurses and midwives further strengthened the task-shifting programme and the overall HIV services in Medina Yoro Foula district, in the Kolda region (WHO).
A total of 123 814 young people aged 15-24 years received voluntary HIV testing thanks to the financial and technical support from the Joint Team to healthcare centres in rural areas. More than 5000 people in seven regions improved their knowledge of comprehensive HIV prevention and committed to further raise awareness in their respective communities through community dialogues and home visits organized in partnership with the national network of people living with HIV (RNP+) and the civil society organizations And Bokk Yakaar (ABOYA), Convergences des jeunes and Femmes engagées (UN Women). Additionally, a partnership with a youth association, RESOPODEV, was established to further promote the use of the Hello Ado app in Senegal, towards informing young people on family planning, HIV/STI and other sexual and reproductive health topics; the app counted 8023 users by the end of 2022 (UNESCO).
In collaboration with the Dakar Centre for the integrated care of addictions (CPIAD), 20 trained healthcare providers are now better equipped to provide integrated services, including harm reduction and HIV treatment services for people who inject drugs in Dakar, Diourbel, Kaolack, Mbour, Thiaroye and Ziguinchor treatment sites (UN Women).
In Fatick and Pikine/Guédiawaye inspectorates, 1760 trained teachers sensitized 76 105 students from 96 schools on prevention and response to school-related gender-based violence (UNESCO). As part of the Global Partnership to Eliminate all forms of HIV-related Stigma and Discrimination, 1680 adolescent girls and young women improved their ability to address/prevent self-stigma and defend their human rights through the financial support provided to the national network of people living with HIV (UNAIDS Secretariat). A total of 25 women and girls living with HIV from nongovernmental organizations and women’s associations received a training on leadership to empower other women and girls living with HIV towards increased resilience and for their meaningful participation in the social, political and economic life in Senegal. Additionally, 150 women and girls living with HIV improved their skills in soap and detergent manufacturing to establish income generating activities in Fatick, Guédiawaye, Kaffrine and Thiès cities (UN Women).