HIV PREVENTION PACKAGE AMONG MEN HAVING SEX WITH MEN (MSM) Affiliatio n Logo FOCUSING ON KEY POPULATION Author1 MWANANAWE Aimable, Author2 NSHIMIYIMANA Justin, Author³ MUHIRWA Sulemani IMRO:IHORERE MUNYARWANDA ORGANIZATION Introduction/ Background IMRO is a National nongovernmental organization committed to improving HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support among vulnerable groups in Rwanda through Outreach, Networking, empowerment, and advocacy. IMRO implements interventions in the context of HIV/AIDS and health promotion, in order to mitigate the impact of HIV & other diseases at individual, family and, community levels for sustainable social economic development. This is achieved through broad consultation, partnership and transparent management. The organization works towards the vision of IMRO as a national organization of excellence in harmonization and synergy for a healthy society, targeting Key Populations, OVCs and other vulnerable populations to have access to health services like other Rwandese & enabled good environment to access Health Services in Rwanda and beyond. In general IMRO operates in 11 districts and focuses on HIV/AIDS Prevention, Advocacy, Care and Community Reintegration of Female Sex Workers and their children. However, during this ending year (2014) Key Population interventions were mainly carried out in the following four Districts: Gasabo, Nyarugenge,Kicukiro,and Rubavu. Results We sensitized and mobilized 445 MSM, 30 Peer Educators were trained on HIV/AIDS Prevention. In all the four districts we assisted 421 MSM and 326 members of their families in paying Health Insurance Scheme (MUSA). To this Key population, we periodically distributed condoms to be used and Lubricants as a means of HIV/AIDS Prevention. The GSLA (Group of Saving and Landing Association) is being implemented among them for economic strengthening. All these interventions were carried out with the support of USAID through FHI360 and Government of Rwanda. Due to social hostile reaction to MSM it was a big challenge for us to identify them for identification because they do not have well known hotspots as Female Sex Workers (FSWs). For us to be able to identify them, we had to reach them through their respective organizations. So far we are working with eight MSM organizations; namely My Right; Rwanda Rainbow; Amahoro Human Respect; Safe Friendly Society; Pride Arc Association; HOCA; and Building Hope for Future, Seruka Musore. Conclusion/ Recommendations The core objective of this package is to support this HIV/AIDS Key Population group in the community reintegration and access health Services, behavior communication (BCC) and HIV prevention. Graph 1/Table/Picture Nº OF BENEFICIARIES (MSM) PER DISTRICT 180 160 140 Nº OF BENEFICIARIES (MSM) PER DISTRICT 120 100 80 60 We suggest to Government through the MoH to take further measures aiming to enforce the existing Holistic Approach with National Minimum Package to MARPs/Key Populations in order to facilitate them access to health services. We also recommend different Stakeholders to do more in the field of advocacy and reduction of stigma and discrimination towards this targeted group. 40 20 0 GASABO NYARUGENGE KICUKIRO Materials and Methods Our target group was constituted by 400 Men having Sex with Men (MSM) living in the above indicated districts. During this period we reached 421 MSM through sensitization in collaboration with local authorities, and representatives of Health Facilities. Messages provided to program beneficiaries were oriented to HIV/AIDS prevention, care & treatment, but also on Gender Based Violence, etc. DISTRICT KICUKIRO SECTOR NYARUGUNGA NYARUGENGE NYAMIRAMBO GASABO KIMIRONKO KACYIRU RUBAVU GISENYI Number of beneficiarie Package of s intervention Targeted CBOs Peer education, 56 BHF condom and lubricants 149 HOCA&RRR distribution, health 180 insurance (mutuelle PA, SFS&MR 38 de sante), Referral for AHR STI screning and treatment and HTC, and economic strengthening ( Group Saving and Landing SERUKA 22 Association) MUSORE Acknowledgements All these interventions were carried out with the support of USAID through FHI360 and Government of Rwanda. For further information Contact IMRO :Ihorere Munyarwanda Organization B.P.2802 KIGALI-RWANDA GSM: +25073830 49 99- +250788304999 Office: 0255 100 623 E-mail: ihoreremunya@yahoo.fr Web site: www.imrwa.com