The District Mentorship Initiative in Tanzania Track 1.0 Annual Meeting Redempta Mbatia

1. The District Mentorship Initiative in Tanzania Track 1.0 Annual Meeting Redempta Mbatia ICAP Tanzania August 10th 2010

2. ICAP Tanzania Program • ICAP TZ has assisted implementation of prevention, care and treatment services in 127 sites, and PMTCT services in 408 sites with a focus on quality services in 4 mainland regions (Pwani, Kagera, Kigoma) and Zanzibar. • As of June 2010: 61,807 clients enrolled in care and 30,346 (49%) initiated on ART. 458,728 pregnant women were tested, counseled with 44,120provided ARV prophylaxis • Important innovations have been initiated e.g. prevention with positives, male circumcision, prevention and programs for IDUs, FSWs and MSM • Partnerships have been established with 25 CHMT, 3 RHMT, and 39 NGOs/FBOs

3. National (GoT) Context • Chronic shortage of Human Resources (HR) • The current GoT supervision approach is largely aimed at improving staff performance, supply chain, HR & training gaps and logistics using checklists rather than providing mentorship and ensuring quality • Six MOHSW indicators for quality improvement in HIV prevention, care and treatment have been defined • National Supportive Supervision and Mentoring Guidelines developed by MOHSW, ICAP other IPs and now finalized and being adopted • ICAP TZ experience expected to inform national roll out of mentorship

4. Tanzanian Health System Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW)Policy Development and National Strategy Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) Tertiary Translation and Coordination of Policy Implementation and Supportive Supervision Secondary Primary

5. ICAP-TanzaniaDistrict Mentorship Initiative (DMI) Goal: • Ensure sustainability and ownership of HIV prevention, care and treatment within Tanzania’s existing decentralized health system • Build a network of mentors at the District and Regional level to support lower level centres • Improve quality through introducing a quality improvement approach using standards of care (SOCs)

6. District Mentoring Initiative The DMI is fully integrated into the existing health system; Regional and District Health Management Teams are responsible for site selection for mentoring activities, to coordinate DMI and to select the regional and district mentors

7. Principles of DMI • Mentorship will not replace traditional ‘support supervision’ currently being implemented by regional & district health teams • District Mentors will not be a new cadre within the health system • RHMT and CHMT are the key ‘players’ in the existing system and must be supported. • Their role is to coordinate and oversee implementation of DMI in collaboration with ICAP • Mentors must meet certain criteria • Clinical competence (macro skills) and experience • General mentorship skills (micro/soft skills) • Willingness and commitment

8. Methodology • Orientation to RHMT/CHMTs in the region(s) • Selection of district mentors by CHMTs based on set criteria • Selection by RHMT/CHMTs of sites to receive mentorship • Assessment of mentors’ skills (ICAP TZ) • In-depth training of mentors- (6 days) • Pre-mentorship site activities: sensitization of sites, staff, and site assessments of the model of care. • Implementation with ICAP TZ close monitoring • Assessment at 3-months followed by 6 month evaluation

9. DMI : The Process Internal Processes External Processes After DMI evaluation: roll out DMI in all facilities in each district.

10. Selection criteria Mentor Site High volume site New site with high volume Low CD4 testing High number of Loss to Follow up (LTFU) Poor documentation Poor enrolment of patients who are eligible for ART/ or poor linkage/referral of PMTCT clients to C&T • Expertise and experience in a specific HIV intervention area • Approachable and accessible with good communication skills • Actively providing HIV/AIDS interventions • Been through at least one of the relevant HIV-related intervention course • Understands the country/district’s health systems • Willing and committed

11. Quality Indicators for Tanzania*…. • All pregnant HIV+ women should be enrolled into CTC within one month of first ANC visit.  • All HIV-exposed infants should be started on CTX prophylaxis at one month of age. • All patients on ART should return to clinic for follow-up within one month of starting ART. • All pre-ART and ART patients should have CD4 testing every six months. • All ART and pre-ART patients should be assesses for TB disease at every visit. • All ART patient should be assessed for adherence at every visit. * Quality indicators basis for the SOCs being measured by mentors before and after mentorship

12. Next steps • Quarterly review, assessment, feedback to region and MOHSW and evaluation of program at six months • Sharing of progress to date in annual stakeholder meetings in Kigoma and Kagera (August 2010) • Incorporation of DMI into the district council health comprehensive plans (with funding) • Increased focus on quality with measurable results(SOCs) • Growing network of mentors focusing on micro/macro skills in HIV Care, ART, PMTCT (and potentially beyond) • In light of transition, pool of mentors to be gradually increased under RHMT/CHMT management.

13. Thank you!