ESTHER SUPPORT SYSTEM

Partners who are present

Chronology

The first exploratory missions by ESTHER occurred at the end of 2001/beginning of 2002 and the ministerial agreement between France and Burkina Faso was signed on September 6, 2002. Burkina Faso is one of the countries for whom ESTHER financed the first ARV therapy in public centres. Moreover, the first order for paediatric ARV was made by ESTHER. Co-financing of ESTHER projects with the Paris Town Hall has developed since 2005 within the framework of support for the creation of an outpatient hospital in Bobo Dioulasso (CHU Sanou Souro). A similar co-financing project with the Paris Town Hall is planned for Ouagadougou at the CHU Yalgado in order to include this hospital in the activities of the Outpatient Treatment Centre (OTC) and the Red Cross.

At the end of September 2008, the total number of active files was nearly 10,000 PLWHA monitored in ESTHER partner hospitals; 8,344 patients receiving ARV therapy, including 1,028 children. Approximately 20% of the 48,133 people receiving ARV therapy nationally benefitted from an ESTHER contribution.

Moreover, following the choice of the ESOPE software programme for monitoring patients on a national scale by the Burkinabe authorities in January 2008, a multisite pilot project (9 sites) was developed with the MCFA (Health Ministry) and the WHO in 2008 and 2008 and will continue in 2009.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES IN 2008

§ Reinforcement of the capacities of those who provide care and support

- Training in the prescription and dispensing of ARV.

- Training of interns for medical treatment and care (CHU Yalgado).

- Training for treatment and care on a decentralised level.

§ Psychosocial support of patients

- Counselling and voluntary detection.

- Adherence and support groups.

- Nutritional support.

- School support (tutoring) and professional training for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).

- Support for paediatric treatment.

- Training for psychosocial counsellors.

- Training for association managers and accountants.

- Training for project managers.

§ Biology

- Support in reagents and laboratory supplies.

- Support for device maintenance.

§ PMTCT/Paediatrics

- PMTCT training (CHU Yalgado).

- Training in nutrition for children infected with HIV (CHU Yalgado).

- Training in the DBS technique in collaboration with UNICEF, the Clinton Foundation, WHO and BIPAI.

§ Support in the decentralisation of treatment and care

- CHU Yalgado is ensuring the monitoring of decentralisation in 5 structures (Koudougou Regional Hospital, Dori Regional Hospital, Manga Medical Centre, Kongoussi Medical Centre, Boussé Medical Centre).

§ Support for the national system

- Setting up of a computerised patient monitoring system (ESOPE) linked to the national information system, training and support of personnel at 9 pilot sites.

- Participation in a reflection workshop on the setting up of a national observatory for monitoring resistances and the quality of treatment and care.

2008 IN NUMBERS

20% of the people who need ARV therapy on a national scale benefit from an ESTHER contribution.

More than 100 care providers trained in national workshops or on site and in internships in France or in the sub-region.

11 ESTHER scholarships for participants at the 2008 session of the Ouagadougou Inter-University Certificate (DIU).

12 North/South mentorship missions to support projects.