Formal linkages and referral systems

51

8.2.4 Formal linkages and referral systems

As previously noted, a critical element of OVC programming is to build and maintain formalized linkages and referral systems between community- and clinic-based programs. Through integrated, coordinated systems and advocacy, families can have improved access to health, nutrition, and social services, which will result in better health status and lower vulnerability to HIVAIDS. PMTCT programming provides an excellent opportunity for collaborating with OVC programs. Integrating ECD interventions with PMTCT programs can help ensure that women and infantchild pairs remain connected to services between the time a child completes immunizations at 18 to 24 months of age and enters school at age 6 or 7 years. Treatment programming likewise provides important opportunities for OVC program linkages to ensure the continuum of response. While OVC programs are not intended to fund pediatric treatment, they can play a critical supporting role for treatment programming. Examples of collaborative activities with PMTCT and treatment programming include: Helping to formalize cross-referral relationships between community worker cadres and local health facilities to ensure continuity of care for mother-infant pairs Helping clinic-based programs establish a continuum of care, including referral mechanisms with HES schemes such as savings groups to motivate follow-up and care-seeking barriers Collaborating with and referring to existing HIV pediatric care and treatment programs Providing educational support, vocational training, economic strengthening, and other services to the growing population of children on ART transitioning into adolescence and adulthood Providing support for related issues such as disclosure and linkage to testing Minimizing delayed care-seeking by promoting discussion and action around seeking skilled care and facility-based delivery, particularly for HIV-positive women and HIV-exposed infants Encouraging male partner involvement by emphasizing the importance of partner support to mother and infant health outcomes Promoting peer supporttreatment buddies for HIV-positive mothers and their families OVC programs also have many opportunities to improve child and family nutrition by incorporating the Figure 5 52 community aspects of the ut itio assess e t, ou seli g, a d suppo t NACS approach into existing activities. As Figure 5 on the preceding page shows, linkages from community services to clinic include not only referrals but also nutritional counseling at the community level by home visitors and economic strengthening for food security and clinic access.

8.3 Prioritization of Recommended Interventions