HIV/AIDS, STIS And OBBI
HIV/AIDS, STIS And OBBI
Dr. Gallican Nshogoza Rwibasira
Dr. Gallican Nshogoza Rwibasira
Dr. Gallican is a Head of National HIV, STIs and Hepatitis Programs since December 2020.He is adept at designing, testing and implementation new initiatives to curb HIV infections and transmissions among high-risk group for more than 5years. He holds a Medical Degree in General Medicine and Surgery from National University of Rwanda and Master’s in Epidemiology from Mount Kenya University.
Prior to this position, Dr. Gallican worked with ICAP at Columbia University as the Project Manager for HIV Case-based Surveillance (CBS), seconded to RBC; Before that, He served as a Senior Study Coordinator for the Rwanda Population based HIV impact Assessment Survey (RPHIA) of 2018-2019. Prior to joining ICAP, he worked as General Practitioner within different rural and urban District and referral Hospitals in Rwanda.
He is an active member of different National and Regional technical working groups on HIV and Viral Hepatitis Programs implementations.
Definition
The HIV/AIDS, STIs and Viral Hepatitis Division coordinates all activities to prevent HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Viral Hepatiti. The division has four units: HIV Prevention, HIV Care and Treatment Services, HIV Epidemiology Surveillance and Research (HESR), and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Viral Hepatitis.
What We Do
The HIV/AIDS, STIs & Viral Hepatitis Division coordinates all activities related to prevention, care, treatment, and surveillance of HIV/AIDS, STIs, and Viral Hepatitis.
HIV Prevention Unit
The HIV Prevention Unit coordinates all activities related to preventing new infections of HIV in Rwanda. The unit operates with different desks including:
Behavior Change Communication/ Information Education and Communication (BCC/IEC): This is the first component of HIV Prevention that aims to mobilize communities and increase awareness and utilization of HIV Prevention and Care and Treatment Services.
HIV Testing services: This component promotes HIV testing services through different approaches including:
- Voluntary HIV Testing and Counselling
- Provider Initiated Testing and Counselling
- HIV testing in the community (outreach targeting key populations)
- Distribution of HIV self-test kits
- Partner Notification Services
- Recency Testing
Prevention of Transmission from Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT): The PMTCT program focuses on preventing the transmission of HIV to infants born from HIV-infected mothers.
The program involves four key components:
- Primary prevention
- Prevention of unintended pregnancies among HIV-positive mothers
- Prevention of HIV transmission from HIV-infected mothers to their infants
- Provision of treatment, care and support to HIV-positive women, infants, and their families
Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision (VMMC): The VMMC program provides voluntary male medical circumcision services to boys and men across Rwanda through both the surgical and device-based methods.
Key Population (KP) Services: The KP program provides services to prevent HIV transmission and support HIV care and treatment among the populations most at risk for and affected by HIV in Rwanda, including female sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who inject drugs, people in prisons and other closed spaces, and mobile populations.
Pre and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP & PEP): Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is offered on a voluntary basis to populations most at risk of acquiring HIV, including female sex workers and sero-discordant couples and is effective at preventing the acquisition of HIV by the HIV-negative partner. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is available to individuals who may have been exposed to HIV recently and can prevent HIV infection.
Condom Programming and Distribution: The unit distributes condoms free of charge at mobile condom kiosks in areas of the country with high risk of HIV transmission, health facilities, and pharmacies.
HIV Care and Treatment Services Unit
The HIV Care and Treatment Services Unit coordinates all activities related to care and treatment of HIV and mitigating the impact of HIV in Rwanda. This unit includes different desks including:
- Adult HIV Care and Treatment services
- Pediatric HIV Care and Treatment services
- Integration of mental health services with HIV services
- Psychosocial Care of people living with HIV
- Care of HIV-infected and affected children
- HIV Clinical mentorship
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Viral Hepatitis
The Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Viral Hepatitis Unit coordinates all activities related Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs) and viral Hepatitis in Rwanda. In 2019, RBC launched a campaign to eliminate Hepatitis C in Rwanda by 2024.
Mission and Vision
To reduce the number of new infections of HIV, viral hepatitis, other sexually transmitted infections and opportunistic infections, support enhanced care and treatment of people living with HIV, and reduce the number of HIV and viral hepatitis related deaths.
Publications
Did You Know?
- Since 2005, HIV prevalence in Rwanda has remained stable at 3%.
- New HIV infections were reduced from 27/10,000 to 8/10,000.
- HIV services are available at all public health facilities in Rwanda.
- Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) is provided for free of charge for all.