To increase accessibility of MARPs to HIV prevention programs, involvement of the private health sector is indispensable; voucher scheme is an appropriate approach which can be replicated. Implications of the pilot’s results on a PPP model to provide health services to hard-to-reach population will be further explored and discussed. | JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, Hue University, N0 61, 2010 INVOLVEMENT OF PRIVATE SECTOR IN HIV/AIDS PREVENTION IN VIETNAM – A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (PPP) MODEL: INCREASE ACCESS TO STI SERVICES OF THE MOST AT RISK POPULATION (MARPS) Pham Duc Minh, Nguyen Chien Thang, Ton van der Velden, Le Ngoc Bao Pathfinder International Viet Nam Mai Hoang Anh Prevention of AIDS and TB Centre SUMMARY Introduction: Having sexual transmitted infection (STI) increases the risk of HIV infection. The MARPs identified as female sex workers (FSWs) and intravenous drug users (IDUs) have limited access to STI services; lack of knowledge and awareness on need for STI/HIV related services, financial difficulties, and more importantly fear of stigma or even legal sanction are main barriers. Literature sugested that MARPs preferred STI services provided at private sector in order to secure privacy and confidentiality. Methodology: The intervention project developed and piloted a voucher scheme for the MARPs to use STI services at 9 assigned private clinics in 4 districts of An Giang province. The Provincial Center for AIDS and TB Control (PATC), through peer educator network, provided vouchers for MARPs for free STI (examination and treatment) and HIV counseling services. District health centers managed the operation of voucher scheme, made payment to private providers and reported to PATC. Results: Over 9 months of piloting, a total of 1,806 vouchers were used and proportion of return vouchers increased over months: from 27% in the first to 72% in the last. Voucher users reported satisfaction with quality of services, improved knowledge on STI/HIV and awareness on need for services. Conclusions: To increase accessibility of MARPs to HIV prevention programs, involvement of the private health sector is indispensable; voucher scheme is an appropriate approach which can be replicated. Implications of the pilot’s results on a PPP model to provide health services to hard-to-reach population will be .
