USAID Supports the Expansion of Top Réseau Health Clinics into Antsirabe and Morandava.

Antsirabe/Morandava -USAID Mission Director Henderson Patrick opened two new Top Réseau areas in Antsirabe on September 15 and, joined by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health and Family Planning, in Morandava on September 29. By providing support for Top Réseau, a youth-friendly network of private clinics, the U.S. Government sustains its commitment to improving the health of young people and demonstrates the support of the American People in the fight against HIV in Madagascar.

USAID with GATES foundation have jointly supported Population Services International (PSI)/Madagascar, an international not-for profit NGO, launched the Top Réseau franchised network in 2000 in Toamasina. The network increases young people’s access to quality family planning and STI prevention and treatment services. In 2002/2003, with support from USAID and the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, Top Réseau network expanded in Antananarivo, Mahajunga, Toliary, and Antsiranana. At present, the franchise consists of 146 youth-friendly clinics, with 211 trained doctors, and 76 trained peer educators.
	USAID Mission Director giving speech at Top Reseau launch.
	Photo Credit: Aaron Brownell, USAID/Madagascar
Members of Top Réseau clinics receive training in youth-oriented counselling and quality of care, with a focus on respecting young people’s need for confidentiality and privacy. They also receive up-to-date information on contraceptive methods and STI diagnosis and treatment. Top Réseau providers agree to provide reproductive health services at highly subsidized prices affordable to youth. PSI/ Madagascar supports the franchise through training and promotional activities, and continuously monitors the quality of services provided. Since its inception, more than 135.000 youths (from 2001 to August 2006), which includes more than 50,000 in 2005, have visited the Top Réseau clinics. In addition to the clinics, the Top Réseau program employs peer educator teams (76 youth in total)
	A doctor giving medical advice to an adolescent with the USAID funded Top Reseau program.
	Photo Credit: Aaron Brownell, USAID/Madagascar

PSI/Madagascar develops and broadcasts also Top Réseau promotional and reproductive education spots through mobile video units and radio/TV. The mass communication component of the project is designed to raise awareness about STIs, family planning, the clinic network and related health products. The mobile video unit teams have reached over 14,572 youth in 2005.

Malagasy singing sensation Jerry Marcos performing at a concert to lauch USAID funded
Top Reseau program.
Photo Credit: Aaron Brownell, USAID/Madagascar

This USAID activity works closely with local partners including the Ministry of Health and Family Planning, SE/CNLS, DRSPF (Direction Regional de Sante et PF), ONM (Ordre National de Medecins) and the CROM (Conseil Regional de l’Ordre de Medecins)

The official Top Réseau launching ceremonies were presided over by a representative from the Ministry of Health and Family Planning. The USAID Mission Director, SE/CNLS, the ONM and regional and local health and administrative authorities were present.