Urban Health Extension Program (UHEP)
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Primary Implementing Partner: John Snow Inc
Regions of Operation: Addis Ababa, Amhara, Dire Dawa, Harari, Oromia, SNNP and Tigray
Goal:
Strengthen the capacity of urban health extension workers (UHEWs) to identify most at-risk populations (MARPs) in their areas and provide HIV prevention, care, and support services
Objectives:
- Improve access and decrease barriers to health services for at-risk populations through engagement of household and communities
- Increase demand for health services through active engagement of at-risk populations, household and communities using behavior change communication for health prevention, promotion, and risk reduction
- Improve quality of urban service delivery though training and professional development of UHEWs, including HIV services for at-risk populations
- Support for an enabling environment to implement a sustainable UHEP including support for development and implementation of community information systems to support a multi-sectored HIV/AIDS and health program
Description:
As frontline workers with close links to households and communities, these UHEWs have a unique opportunity to deliver integrated, tailored and targeted services. With its focus on strengthening the capacity of the UHEWs to provide HIV prevention, care and support services to most at risk populations (MARPs).
UHEP also works to expand the capacity of UHEWs to assess social and individual factors that may contribute to creating and increasing vulnerability and risk for health problems for vulnerable populations, as well as their ability to access services.
UHEP is focused on “household-centered” promotive, preventive, and limited medicinal services with strong referral linkages to public sector health facilities. The program is implemented at the neighborhood and household level, including youth centers and schools. To meet these expected results, the program engages with civil society organizations and community-based organizations working with these populations.
Expected Results:
- Cover 19 towns and cities and benefit a total of 2.6 million people (21 percent of the country’s urban population)
