The Technical Support Unit (TSU) was established on the 1st of April 2008, to aid the implementation plan of Maharashtra and Goa State HIV and AIDS programs.

The TSU in its second year facilitated the respective State AIDS Control Societies to bring about these changes and upscale Targeted Interventions along with building their capacities and monitoring and mentoring them.

The TSU aided in mainstreaming the National AIDS Control program with other Government Departments and Civil Society partners and ensured their participation. It also strengthened public-private partnerships, to ensure access and additional service delivery.

Two major changes seen in the year were the abolishment of the post of Team Leader, and mainstreaming civil society partnership and public-private partnership. In its stead, the post of STI Specialist was introduced, keeping in mind the focus on TI and STI.

The SACS Annual Action Plan (AAP) ‘09-‘10 aided in carrying out deliverables decided upon and to be achieved during the year. The first meeting of TSU Steering Committee took place on 7th November, 2008 to review the progress of TSU in achieving the objectives as per the annual action plan of SACS and DACS in the state. The meeting also served as an opportunity to resolve issues and evolve alternatives to meet the challenges in controlling HIV/AIDS in Maharashtra.

A multi-pronged approach was followed in program delivery, to achieve the targets for the year. This included:

• Scaling up of existing Targeted Intervention amongst the HRG and Saturating Coverage amongst HRG in all the districts.
•  Liasoning and co-coordinating with various State Lead Partners and  Implementation Partners in Targeted Intervention. The idea behind this approach was to actively involve all the partners to come up with a uniform and effective targeted intervention programme for the entire State of Maharashtra.
•  Implementing Partner coordination, efficient management of data flow and analyzing the same for formulating future implementation strategies.
• Identifying potential partners for service delivery for HIV Testing and Sexually Transmitted Infection Management through the private sector and building their capacity to ensure effective service delivery.
• Peer-led integration of HIV and AIDS programs in various syllabi and schemes of Government departments and involving Civil Society partners to increase uptake of services and further create a Stigma and Discrimination-free environment for PLHIV.

Planning was also done to ensure that lessons learnt could be incorporated; and accordingly changes in approach were absorbed in the field especially in the above mentioned components, taking into consideration local and grassroot level needs. A multiplicity of approaches in achieving targets and deliverables was adopted. While the programs have delivered significant results, evidence from the ground suggests that constant monitoring and mentoring of all TI functioning, is the primary key to ultimate risk reduction and sustainable behavior change among HRGs and other populations.

The key highlights under each component which supplemented the quality improvement and targets were highlighted.

Consistent handholding, mentoring and monitoring in TI by Monitoring Visits, Monthly Review Meetings, Peer Conference and Theme based Mentoring (TI-STI Clinic).

Adopting innovative Capacity Building techniques, use of participatory methodologies, games, films and creating a Human Resource Bank for improving the quality of training.  

Mainstreaming and Advocacy efforts were designed and not limited to sensitization of stakeholders, but to develop partnerships for implementations. Translation of Modules was done in local languages for better understanding and local adaption of the program.

A concept note and application forms were developed for universalization of proposals received under PPP for ICTC. Reporting and referral registers for counselors of designated STI Clinics was designed and developed for quality documentation and reporting.

The TSU in its second year, facilitated the respective State AIDS Control Societies to bring about these changes and upscale the Targeted Interventions along with building their capacities, monitoring and mentoring them. TSU aided in mainstreaming the National AIDS Control program with other Government departments and civil society partners and ensured their participation. The TSU also strengthened the public-private partnerships to ensure access and additional service delivery.