2. REPORTS SAVE LIVES: INCREASING THE NUMBER OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY MMDA HIV M&E FOCAL PERSONS IN ASHANTI REGION
Presented by Mr. Terra Nyarko Co-author : Ms. Olivia Graham (Ghana AIDS Commission, Technical Support Unit – Ashanti Region)

3. Presentation Outline Background Objectives Methods Results Conclusion
Recommendations/Next steps

4. Background
National response to HIV depends largely on reports from stakeholders
Reports from MMDA HIV Focal Persons to the TSU is very important as it strengthens planning and co-ordination at the decentralized level
Highlighted in Section 9 of the GAC Act 2016 (Act 938)
Establishment of AIDS Committees- Function are to plan, coordinate and monitor the entire response to HIV

5. Background Cont.
“It has been noted that difficulties in securing reports from responsible agencies do not augur well for effective HIV and AIDS response” (Partnership Forum,2015)
Reports submitted by HIV Focal Persons in the Ashanti Region was problematic
9 out of 30 reports were submitted to the Ashanti Region TSU in 1st QTR,2015
15 out of 30 reports were submitted to same in 2nd QTR,2015
Need for an intervention to remedy this unfortunate trend

6. Objectives
Find out the reasons for the low number of reports submitted by HIV Focal Persons in the region
Increase the number of reports submitted by District HIV Focal Persons from 15 (2nd qtr) to 27 (3rd qtr) by the end of October, 2015

7. Method Quarterly Report Submission Register Phone calls
Reminder Letters
Organization of FPs meeting
Creation of WhatsApp Platform for FPs

8. Results-Reasons for the low reporting
High Attrition rate of HIV Focal Person
Delay in getting the necessary signatures on the final reports
Competing schedules of Focal Persons- 40% of their time to HIV
Lack of interest in HIV activities by some key MMDA actors

9. Results- Introduction of Intervention
Number of reports submitted increased from 15 in the 2nd quarter to 25 out of 30 in the 3rd quarter of 2015
Increase occurred after the intervention (Phone calls, letters, Meetings and WhatsApp)
Target of 27 reports was not achieved (in the 3rd qtr) but 28 reports were submitted in the 4th qtr

10. Line graph showing increase in the reports (2015)

11. Conclusion
Intervention was successful as it achieved the objective of increasing the number of reports submitted
Intervention also helped to ascertain factors that affected the submission of the reports
When Reports are submitted as required;
Critical decisions could be taken to save lives and situations
For instance shortages of HIV Commodities such as condoms, ARVs, Test kits could be addressed
Human rights issues such as stigma and discrimination against PLHIV

12. Next steps/Recommendations
Explore innovative ways of strengthening the intervention
Sensitization of actors at the MMDA level to support HIV programs
Further interactions and training of FPs to increase their capacity and reporting
Continuous Advocacy for HIV FPs to commit more time to HIV activities
Engage the LGS to reduce the attrition rate of FPs

13. Acknowledgement GAC School of Public Health Mr. Samuel Dery
Dr. Priscillia Nortey
Ms.Golda Asante
All HIV Focal Persons (Ashanti)

14. Thank you