Preventing HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C in Moldova (PHH)

What We Do › Infectious Diseases › Preventing HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C in Moldova (PHH)

Moldova’s rising incidence of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B (HVB), and hepatitis C (HCV) are largely driven by declining economic and social conditions, unsafe sexual practices, inability to assure the safety of donor blood, inadequate hospital infection control, and—most importantly—increasing numbers of vulnerable or high-risk populations. According to UNAIDS, more than 5,500 of Moldova’s 4.5 million inhabitants are HIV-positive, although the actual number is estimated to be much higher. Studies also indicate that incidence rates of viral hepatitis are even more alarming with 6-8 percent of the nation’s blood donors identified as having HBV and 2.42 percent of the nation’s inhabitants suffering from chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver. The highest prevalence of viral hepatitis infection and liver disease can be found among people between the ages of 18-50 years old who represent the country’s workforce.

As the prime contractor of the Preventing HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C in Moldova/Technical Assistance Support Contract (PHH/TASC II), Emerging Markets Group has tapped AIHA to spearhead efforts to ensure the safety of the former Soviet nation’s blood and blood products, as well as to facilitate the strengthening of laboratory capacity needed both to diagnose HBV and HCV and to improve epidemiological surveillance capabilities.

With more than 14 years of experience working to improve healthcare services and delivery in 22 countries spanning Eastern Europe and Central Asia—including multiple programs focusing on infection control, blood safety, HIV/AIDS, and other communicable diseases—AIHA is particularly well-suited to manage these aspects of this USAID-sponsored project.

Key results AIHA expects to achieve relative to the target areas it will manage include: ensuring that 100 percent of the blood used for transfusions throughout Moldova is screened for HIV, HBV, and HCV; implementing internationally recommended laboratory practices for diagnosing HBV and HCV; developing a Reference Laboratory for Viral Hepatitis that meets international standards for equipment, policies, and procedures; achieving 95 percent accuracy in the diagnosis of chronic HBV and HCV; and improving both the quality and accuracy of tests for HBV and HCV in other labs throughout Moldova.


Related Article: Improving Blood Safety in Moldova (Connections, Fall 2006)

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