Russia Professional Development in HIV/AIDS Medicine Project -
A Public-Private Partnership with GlaxoSmithKline

What We Do > HIV/AIDS

AIHA and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a global pharmaceutical leader, have been working together since October 2007 to train Russian clinicians in effective HIV care practices, including the provision of ART, through the Russia Professional Development in HIV Medicine Program. The overarching goal of the program is to foster a cadre of HIV/AIDS experts and opinion leaders capable of expanding Russia’s clinical knowledge base on HIV treatment and care.

Supported by USAID through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), this partnership represents a model of efficient collaboration among the private, non-governmental, and governmental sectors — all working together to build the human resource capacity necessary for Russia to provide comprehensive, high quality care to people living with HIV/AIDS.

Key objectives of the program include:

• Strengthening capacity of Russian medical professionals who provide HIV/AIDS care;
• Developing a network of highly skilled HIV/AIDS specialists capable of acting as thought leaders and agents of change throughout Russia; and
• Promoting the use of evidence-based principles in HIV medicine by improving access to clinical resources and facilitating communication among care providers.

In the second year of program’s activities, 24 competitively selected clinicians from 19 Russian regions continued to improve their knowledge and expertise in HIV/AIDS treatment and care through a series of workshops led by international faculty and Russian specialists. These skills-building sessions focused on topics including: managing patients co-infected with tuberculosis, hepatitis, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and other opportunistic infections; drug resistance and switching treatment regimens; improving adherence among patients who are active drug users; defining treatment failure; and looking into HIV drug resistance and side effects and interactions of ARVs and other commonly used medications.

Most active program participants were given an opportunity to attend national and international HIV/AIDS conferences, reporting on the most interesting topics and findings to their counterparts during subsequent program workshops.

AIHA developed a Web site that serves as an invaluable resource for participants and other HIV professionals throughout Russia. The interactive site contains a wealth of evidence-based literature and clinical case studies, as well as topical forums, discussion groups, and distance learning modules and e-mail courses on subjects such as evidence-based practice and patient education. Clinicians are able to discuss patient care and seek advice and information from colleagues and experts in Russia and around the world.

Participants provided ART to 3,750 adults and PMTCT services to 356 pregnant women in 2008. By December 2009, those numbers are projected to increase to 5,453 and 733 respectively, thus demonstrating the significant impact the program is having on the accessibility of quality HIV care and treatment in the Russian Federation.

Key Accomplishments as of October 2009:

• 24 clinical leaders from target regions competitively selected to participate in the five-year-long fellowship program
• 5 skills-building workshops conducted in Moscow and St. Petersburg
• 4 interactive distance courses provided to participants
• 15 clinical cases on numerous HIV-related topics were developed jointly by participants and experts and discussed in real-time

For a PDF overview of the Russia Professional Development in HIV Medicine Project in both Russian and English, please click here.