CCIH Monthly Bulletin

January 2006

1. CCIH AND MEMBER NEWS

CCIH MEMBER CAMEROON BAPTIST CONVENTION HEALTH BOARD RECOGNIZED FOR PMTCT PROGRAM

In a report published in the December 2005 issue of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (http://www.jaids.com), the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Board (CBCHB) was recognized for its Prevention of Mother to Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT) program, which is supported by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF, http://www.pedaids.org). In 2000 only three hospitals in Cameroon offered PMTCT services. By the end of 2004 this number increased to 274, 42% of which (115) were supported by CBCHB. Currently the CBCHB program runs in 142 facilities, reaching over 100,000 pregnant women. The success of the program is attributed to aggressive training of antenatal health care staff, the availability of rapid HIV test kits and of free nevirapine, and the establishment and expansion of support groups. In 2003, Prof. Tih Pius Muffih, the Director of CBCHB, received the EGPAF International Leadership Award for his leadership in developing a national effort to combat HIV/AIDS. The grant that accompanied the award funded the Life Abundant Primary Health Care Program which is the first PMTCT program worldwide which trained birth attendants to provide HIV counseling and testing. This model is now being replicated in other programs in Cameroon and in Zambia and Nigeria. CBCHB has also been recognized for its ability to forge public and private relationships to promote sustainability for its programs. Government officials praise the organization for being a leader in AIDS prevention and control.

Cameroon is not a PEPFAR country and CBCHB has found it difficult to access other US Government funds for its work. It has been unsuccessful in obtaining Global Fund money for its Youth Abstinence Network. But this has not stopped their work or dampened their spirit. The Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Board continues to plan for the future and continues to seek support from private sources. For more information on CBCHB contact Tih Pius Muffih (piustih@aol.com) or Tom Welty (twelty@earthlink.net). For information on the Youth Abstinence Network, including an excellent survey on adolescent sexual attitudes and behaviors, contact Dr. Tih or the program Coordinator, Ndosak George, at cbchbyouthabstinence@myway.com.

DR. PAUL SAUNDERSON APPOINTED BY WHO TO DRAFT LEPROSY GUIDELINES

The World Health Organization Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for leprosy has selected international leprosy expert Dr. Paul Saunderson to draft guidelines for WHO’s 2006-2010 leprosy control strategies which emphasize quality of treatment and care for people affected by leprosy. Dr. Saunderson is Medical Officer at American Leprosy Missions (ALM). He oversees ALM's medical programs in fifteen countries and is a leader in ALM's $7 million campaign to develop a vaccine against leprosy.

American Leprosy Missions, which celebrates its 100th birthday in 2006, is the oldest and largest non-profit organization in the United States dedicated to the treatment and complete elimination of leprosy. ALM is an active member of CCIH. Its current Chief Program Officer is on the CCIH Board of Directors. For more information on ALM go to http://www.leprosy.org.

CCIH CO-SPONSORED THE PACANET CONFERENCE IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

CCIH members were among the 216 participants from 37 countries to attend the Pan African Christian AIDS Network (PACANet) Conference in Abuja from December 1-3, 2005. CCIH co-sponsored the conference along with Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria. CCIH Board members Dorothy Brewster-Lee and Jacqui Patterson worked with African experts in coordinating workshop tracks for the conference and over 20 CCIH members and their partners were involved in planning for and presenting at the conference. Thebisa Chaava of CCIH member Salvation Army took a lead in organizing the track on Orphans and Vulnerable Children.

Conference workshops followed four specific tracks: Care and Support; Treatment; Orphans and Vulnerable Children; and the ABCs of Prevention. In addition, a separate working group developed a draft working paper on the Church, AIDS and the Family. Plenary sessions and workshops sought to identify what the church has done well in the HIV/AIDS arena as well as where it has fallen short and what it needs to do to move forward and to fully meet the challenges it, and the world, faces.

While acknowledging that the church has already done much, however belatedly, to respond to the HIV challenge, conference participants concluded that there is much more to be done. Specifically, there is a mandate to provide care in all forms as well as to reduce the stigma of the disease. Systems already in place must be strengthened. Additionally, the church must become involved in policy and advocacy since it does not operate in a vacuum and cannot ignore non-supportive local, regional and global policies. Underscoring all of this is the need to establish and nourish partnerships both within the church and with others. The Church, AIDS and the Family track produced a draft document that concludes that the church must use its great potential and many resources to make the family the centerpiece of the Christian response to HIV/AIDS.

More information on the conference, including a summary description of the conference as well as the draft paper on the Church, AIDS, and the Family, can be found at the new PACANet website, http://www.pacanet.net.

ENHANCED DRAFT OF CCIH’S PRIMER ON “ABC” APPROACH TO HIV PREVENTION

Last month’s bulletin reported CCIH’s work on preparing a major document entitled, A Primer on the ABC Approach to HIV Prevention: Common Questions and Answers about the ABC Approach to HIV Prevention. This 39-page manuscript, prepared jointly with Medical Services Corporation International, has already gotten a lot of attention even though it is still in draft. It explains the ABC approach to HIV prevention, clearly presents the evidence for such an approach, and responds to common critiques with empirical evidence. This revised draft is accessible on CCIH’s website at www.ccih.org/Primer_on_the_ABC_Approach_Draft_01.5.06.pdf.

You are welcome to use the document even though it is still in draft form. Comments and suggestions for improvements are welcomed through the end of January. Send them to aherling@mscionline.com.

CCIH'S NEWEST MEMBERS: SMALL BUT DETERMINED

Several of the newest CCIH member organizations are small, newly organized and headed by Africans with a burden for helping their own communities:

* Adonai Missions International (AMI - http://www.adonaimissions.com) led by Edet George and Ann Offong, is based in the Central African Republic and has a US-based office in Upland, California. It is an interdenominational missions agency focused on evangelism, discipleship, training of missionaries and providing humanitarian services. An example of AMI's work is a vocational training and education project for widows, ex-prostitutes and orphans which includes HIV/AIDS awareness training. AMI is currently recruiting doctors and nurses for a medical mission set for March 2006. To contact AMI send an email to EDET_George@yahoo.com or adonaimissions@yahoo.fr.

* Africa Against AIDS (longondo@u.washington.edu) aims to provide culturally appropriate HIV prevention services to African immigrants in the US and to people in Africa. It has begun work in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is directed by Dr. Longondo Dace Eteni.

* Christian Relief and Development, Inc. (CRDI - http://www.cradi.org) is based in Woodbridge, Virginia and in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. It is committed to improving the health and well being of men, women and children in partnership with local NGOs. It is a young organization made up mostly of development workers with experience in international faith-based and development agencies. CRDI's Congo Health Center Project, facilitated by CCIH member Crosslink International, increases access to community-based high impact primary health care activities aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality among infants, children and mothers. To contact the founder of CRDI, Armand Utshudi-Lumbu, send an email to autshudi@cradi.org.

 

AIDS TREATMENT PROJECT OF 3 CCIH MEMBERS REACHING TARGETS

The AIDSRelief project, led by Catholic Relief Services and including Interchurch Medical Assistance and the Catholic Medical Mission Board, announced its accomplishments as of September 30, 2005. Project director Carl Stecker reported that the project has provided anti-retroviral therapy to 26,609 patients, and enrolled 78,648 patients in HIV care at 89 points of service. They anticipate reaching 41,000 with ART by the end of February.

This PEPFAR grant, the largest of all US Government grants for AIDS treatment, is providing annual funding in the range of $25 to $30 million. When the grant was announced in early 2004, Ken Hackett, president of CRS, said, “What is unique about this partnership is that it maximizes the Catholic and mainline Protestant health delivery systems, and the expertise of private institutions like the Institute of Human Virology and The Futures Group.” For more information, go to http://www.crs.org/our_work/what_we_do/programming_areas/AIDS/CRS_focus/index.cfm.

CCIH MEMBER ECUMENICAL PHARMACEUTICAL NETWORK

The Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN) has offices in Nairobi, Kenya and in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. EPN, coordinated by Dr. Eva M. A. Ombaka, joined CCIH in November 2005. The purpose of EPN is to increase the capacity of church related pharmaceutical activities to provide effective and efficient services. It currently has 49 member organizations in 25 countries, many of which are called Christian Health Associations. EPN concentrates its work in three areas: building a health and pharmaceutical network; increasing access to essential medicines for church health services and their clients; and increasing the capacity of church leaders and church-related health services to respond to the challenge of HIV/AIDS treatment. For more information on EPN see http://www.epnetwork.org or send an email to epn@wananchi.com. To subscribe to EPN’s email newsletter, email e-pharmalink@epnetwork.org and request to be added.

CCIH MEMBER PREPARES DOCUMENT: “MAKING ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL MEDICINES POSSIBLE”

Issue No. 181 of Contact, a publication of CCIH member the World Council of Churches Health and Healing Team, was prepared by new CCIH member the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN - see above.) This issue of Contact focuses on “Making Access to Essential Medicines Possible.”

EPN Coordinator Eva Ombaka (epn@wananchi.com) explains in an editorial that the issue highlights some of the underlying causes of lack of access to essential medicines and recounts some examples of the innovative work being done to overcome some of these obstacles.

In a Bible study entitled “Universal Access To Medicines: Is There A Vision?,” Moses Manohar of Inter-Church Services Association cites Ezekiel 47:12(b) in asking us whether we are visionaries with prophetic zeal to speak out and call for essential, life-saving medicines to be made universally accessible. There are articles on trade in medicines, effects of pricing on access, getting medicines to the people, human resources challenges, the franchise model, and community action to improve access.

The 28-page issue in PDF format is accessible online at http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/news/con181-e.pdf.

CCIH MEMBER CHRISTIAN REFORMED WORLD RELIEF COMMITTEE KICKS OFF NEW AIDS CAMPAIGN

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) kicked off its new AIDS Campaign, "Keep the Promise" on December 1, World AIDS Day. The campaign aims to educate people about HIV/AIDS, a subject unfamiliar to many. CRWRC believes that church members are much more likely now than they were even a few years ago to receive the message about HIV/AIDS and to act upon it. The organization is building upon that readiness in order to mobilize its members. The "Keep the Promise" campaign aims at helping people to understand the various factors that contribute to the crisis including how poverty increases the spread of the disease; why young girls are more susceptible; and what happens to orphans and widows. Moreover, the campaign encourages participants to get involved in a response to the HIV/AIDS crisis.

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC), the relief, development, and educational ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, partners with local agencies to fulfill its mission to engage God’s people in redeeming resources and developing gifts in collaborative activities of love, mercy, justice, and compassion. CRWRC is working in more than 30 countries around the world. It has been involved in HIV/AIDS since the 1980s and currently has programs in twelve countries involving over 60,000 people.

For more information on CRWRC and the "Keep the Promise" Campaign, go to http://www.crwrc.org.


OTHER CCIH MEMBERS IN THE NEWS:

** COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL has been working in Aceh province, Indonesia since December 2004, just days after the tsunami hit and destroyed much of the area. By the first week in January the organization had more than 30 Indonesian professionals and volunteers in Banda Aceh. Compassion workers are building homes, assisting displaced workers, organizing and running survivor and refugee camps and setting up loans for small businesses. Compassion International is one of the nation's largest Christian child development organizations, working with more than 65 denominations and thousands of indigenous church partners in Africa, Asia, Central and South America and the Caribbean. For more information visit http://www.compassion.com/about/press/currentnews/tsunamiwrapuprelease.htm.

** SAMARITAN'S PURSE,(SP) which joined CCIH in November 2005, is involved in a variety of projects around the world. In December one of its projects, a medical mission to Sudan, was highlighted in an article the Christian Post (http://www.christianpost.com, search for Samaritan's Purse Sudan). SP supports two clinics and a 20 bed hospital among the mainly Muslim Beja people of Eastern Sudan. It also supports health education programs, lessons on basic life skills, and provides therapeutic and supplemental feeding programs for pregnant Beja women, infants, young children, and the elderly. For more information about Samaritan's Purse programs go to http://www.samaritanspurse.org.

 

CCIH MONTHLY PRAYER CALENDAR

CCIH recognizes that prayer is vital to our work and ministry and to the work and ministry of our members as well as all those working in international health. We invite you to use this monthly prayer calendar (which lists a prayer for every day of the month) to pray with us about our work, the work of our members and the needs of the world. Please copy and distribute it freely. We encourage suggestions for prayer points for next month's prayer calendar. Please contact Sharon Franzén.

Click here to view the January Prayer Calendar.

2. CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

Funding Opportunity Number: M/OAA/GH/HSR-06-189

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement

The purpose of this procurement is to provide USAID, its Bureau for Global Health, missions and other operating units with the help needed to solve challenging problems in health governance, finance and operations that keep people in developing countries from gaining access to and using Population, Health, and Nutrition priority services. The deadline for applications will be early in 2006.

For more information, go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=2932.

HHS/NIH RFA: INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH ETHICS EDUCATION AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AWARD

Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-TW-06-003
Estimated Total Program Funding: $1,500,000.00 with an award ceiling of $250,000 per year

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

The Fogarty International Center (FIC) invites applications for International Research Ethics Education and Curriculum Development awards to develop graduate level curricula and provide opportunities for developing country academics, researchers and health professionals in international research ethics elated to performing research involving human subjects. The deadline is January 13, 2006.

For more information go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=3465.

HHS/NIH PAR: PLANNING GRANTS FOR INTERNATIONAL MALARIA CLINICAL, OPERATIONAL AND HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAMS (D71)

Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-06-070
Estimated Total Program Funding: $ 150,000 with an award ceiling of $23,000

Planning grant applications for malaria research training programs in clinical, operational and public health services for clinical, public health and social scientists and health care professionals in the countries targeted by the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) are invited. The Fogarty International Center expects to provide a total of $75,000 to $150,000 total costs (direct and F & A) per year to fund three to six new planning grant awards each year FY06-FY08. The next deadline is January 13,2006.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=3316

HHS/NIH RFA for GLOBAL RESEARCH TRAINING IN POPULATION HEALTH

Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-TW-05-002
Estimated Total Program Funding: $1,500,000.00 for six to eight awards

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

The Fogarty International Center (FIC), in collaboration with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) of the National Institutes of health, invites applications from non-profit public or private institutions in the U.S. and low- and middle-income countries, to support advanced international research training in population health sciences. Emphasis will be placed on collaborative activities in countries and regions where population growth adversely impacts public health, the environment and economic progress. Interdisciplinary and translational research approaches are especially encouraged. Each applicant institution may submit only one application proposing training in reproductive biology, reproductive medicine, reproductive epidemiology and only one application proposing training in demography-related population studies, or a maximum of two applications per institution. The Application deadline is Jan 13, 2006.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=3463.

HHS/NIH RFA: GLOBAL NETWORK FOR WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-HD-05-025
Estimated Total Program Funding: $3,700,000

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement

An invitation for applications from investigators willing to participate under a cooperative agreement in an ongoing multi-center international research network designed to perform randomized clinical trials, using common protocols, to reduce the major risk of maternal, neonatal, infant, and early childhood mortality and significant morbidity in resource-poor countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. There will be four to eight grants. The deadline is January 19, 2006.

For more information see http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=3425.

HHS/NIH PAR: DISSEMINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH IN HEALTH

Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-06-039, PAR-06-071, PAR-06-072

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

These program announcements (PAR) encourage investigators to submit research grant applications that will identify, develop, and refine effective and efficient methods, structures, and strategies that test models to disseminate and implement research-tested health behavior change interventions and evidence-based prevention, early detection, diagnostic, treatment, and quality of life improvement services into public health and clinical practice settings. The next deadline for applications for these PARs is January 24, 2006. There is also a deadline on September 22, 2006.

For more information see http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=3305, http://www.fedgrants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=3317 and http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=3318.

HHS/NIH RFA: INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL, OPERATIONAL AND HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH TRAINING AWARD (ICOHRTA) [D43]

Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-TW-06-002
Award Ceiling: $200,000

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Support for advanced training in collaborative, multidisciplinary, international clinical, operational, health services and prevention science research on non-communicable disorders and diseases for health researchers from low- and middle-income countries. The deadline is January 25, 2006.

For more information see http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=3464.

USAID (KENYA/DRC) RFA: INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM (IHSP)

Funding Opportunity Number: RFA No.: 623-A-06-010

Estimated Total Program Funding: $40,000,000

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement

This RFA is for PROJET A X XES in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which will serve to help meet the strategic objective of “Integrated Health Services Program (IHSP).” PROJET A X XES will have the following components: 1) increased access to, quality of, and demand for multi-sectoral, integrated, primary health care, this includes support for a minimum package of integrated health services as defined by the Ministry of Health; 2) increased capacity to the health zone and the referral system; and 3) increased capacity and impact of national health programs and provincial & district offices. At the end of three years USAID expects to have assisted the GDRC in 1) providing essential health services to an estimated 8,000,000 people at a cost of not less than $1.00 per capita per year to no more than $1.65 per capita per year based on costing studies done by the World Bank and other donors; 2) improving the capacity of several local NGOs to advance their management systems and their ability to provide quality health services; 3) improving the capacity of provincial and district health offices to assure provincial/district level coordination and supervision, and 4) improved the management of the health zone and referral system. USAID expects the cooperating agency (ies) to support the minimum package of activities from the health center to the reference hospital with limited rehabilitation and refurbishment to an acceptable standard.

For more information go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=7359 and follow the link to the Full Announcement. Scroll through the application to page 8 where the RFA announcement begins. The deadline for applications is January 30, 2006.

USAID (KENYA) RFA: AIDS, POPULATION, AND HEALTH INTEGRATED ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (APHIA II)

Funding Opportunity Number: RFA No.: 623-A-06-009

Estimated Total Program Funding: $193,000,000 with an award floor of $15,000,000

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement

The U.S. Agency for International Development Mission to Kenya (USAID/Kenya) is issuing this RFA, APHIA II, for up to seven Cooperative Agreements in distinct geographic areas to provide HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) prevention, treatment, care and support, and to a lesser extent, reproductive health/family planning (RH/FP), malaria, and maternal and child health (MCH) services. HIV/AIDS services and activities are the most important component of this procurement but integrating these services with TB, RH/FP, and MCH services is required, to the maximum extent feasible. Also funded under this RFA are selected training and operations research activities that contribute to improved service delivery and which will be gradually introduced and increased over the course of the project.

HIV/AIDS services and activities are the most important component of this procurement but integrating these services with TB, RH/FP, and MCH services is required, to the maximum extent feasible. The deadline is February 1, 2006.

CDC RFA: PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE SUPPORT PROGRAM

Funding Opportunity Number: RFA No: CDC-PA-05031-A

Estimated Total Program Funding: Approx. Average $8-75,000 for one-year project

Funding Instrument type: Grant

The purpose of conference support funding is to provide partial support for specific non-Federal conferences in the areas of health promotion and disease prevention information and education programs, and applied research. The deadline for Cycle B is March 6, 2006.

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=1865.

HHS/NIH PA: RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND HIV

Funding Opportunity Number: PA-04-115

Funding Instrument type: Grant

This PA calls for studies to examine the extent and nature of religious organizations' involvement in HIV-related activities, the factors that influence such involvement and its effectiveness. The focus is on religious organizations or congregations such as churches, synagogues or mosques. Faith-based organizations -- i.e., those supported by or tied to religious organizations, but not directly providing religious services -- may be involved in the research, but are not the focus of the research. The deadline is September 1, 2006.

For more information see http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=3085.

USAID GRANTS NOTICE: ANNUAL PROGRAM STATEMENT PUBLIC PRIVATE ALLIANCES

Funding Opportunity Number: RFA No: M-OAA-GRO-EGAS-06-07

Funding Instrument type: Cooperative Agreement, Grant or other

The Global Development Alliance Secretariat of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) invites interest from prospective partner organizations to form public-private alliances to carry out activities in support of USAID's international development objectives. Alliance partners are expected to bring significant new resources, ideas, technologies, and/or partners to address development problems in countries where USAID is currently working. The deadline is September 30, 2006 however applications received later than December 16, 2005 despite deserving support, may not be able to obtain funds simply because available funds may already have been earmarked for deserving proposals that were received on or before December 16, 2005. However, such proposals if received before September 30, 2006 may be considered for funding in FY2007. Please review the RFA for more information.

CDC FUND: W.K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION

Funding Number: 2924

Fund Title: W.K. Kellogg Foundation Grants

Estimated Total Program Funding: Not established

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to apply knowledge to solve the problems of people. Its founder W.K. Kellogg, the cereal industry pioneer, established the Foundation in 1930. Since its beginning the Foundation has continuously focused on building the capacity of individuals, communities, and institutions to solve their own problems. Grants are made in the four areas of: Health, Food Systems and Rural Development, Youth and Education, and Philanthropy and Volunteerism. There is no deadline.

For more information, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/display/FundDisplay.asp?FundNbr=2924 r http://www.wkkf.org/Grants/.

USAID - INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD FEEDING PROGRAMS (IYCF)

USAID has announced an expectation to issue an RFA this month for a cooperative agreement focusing on designing, implementing and evaluating infant and young feeding programs. The Global Health Bureau included FBOs among groups it was interested in identifying, capable of providing the following services:

(a) Critically evaluate the state of current knowledge about the nutrition and feeding of infants and young children in developing countries and demonstrate lessons learned;

(b) Design and implement innovative programs with measurable impact for optimal feeding practices that build upon experiences in diverse developing country settings;

(c) Identify the critical elements of successful programs and demonstrate their relevance in the programs undertaken;

(d) Design monitoring and evaluation criteria to meet the needs of IYCF programs;

(e) Design programs that take into account optimal IYCF practices in the context of HIV/AIDS as well as other childhood illnesses.

Organizations that may be interested in submitting proposals are encouraged to inform USAID in advance and provide a maximum of two pages covering the following information in the context of infant and child feeding programs:

(1) Experience working in developing countries with both government and non- government organizations?

(2) Interest in working with USAID to design and undertake infant and young child nutrition/health and development activities described above that address the needs of developing countries?

(3) Capacity to analyze and disseminate program results in a timely manner in a variety of fora?

(4) Capacity to collaborate with a variety of organizations, including public health experts, public policy makers and private sector companies?

Although the target date for submissions of interest has passed, it would still be prudent for interested organizations to respond by emailing Frances Davidson at FDavidson@usaid.gov with a copy to: Patrick Kollars: pakollars@usaid.gov.

USAID - AIDS SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE RESOURCES (AIDSTAR) PROGRAM

USAID has issued a pre-solicitation announcement for this AIDSTAR program. Under this PEPFAR-funded program USAID would competitively award up to 14 Indefinite Quantity Contracts (IQC) to provide state-of-the-art technical assistance and implementation support for the expansion of high-quality HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment services, and to build in-country technical and management capacity to sustain these services. The two separate sectors envisaged are: Sector (1) Prevention, Care and Treatment (up to eight awards); and Sector (2) Institutional Capacity Building (up to six awards.)

Awards under Sector 1 will provide technical expertise and implementation support for the expansion of HIV/AIDS services across the continuum of prevention, care, and treatment. Partnering with indigenous institutions is a key element of sector 1.  Awards under Sector 2 will support broader institutional development for long-term sustainability of in-country partners, for example, strengthening management and financial accountability systems of local organizations and government agencies.

The announcement specifically notes that “ FBOs with expertise in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment, and any combination of the above, are invited to submit proposals for Sector 1.” USAID encourages new and non-traditional partners that can add value to the U.S. Government’s HIV/AIDS assistance to participate either as primes or as partners within consortia. Several CCIH members have expressed interest in exploring the idea of collaboration for AIDSTAR. For more information, contact Ray Martin.

ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION

Fund category: HIV/AIDS

The mission of the Elton John AIDS Foundation is to provide funding for educational programs targeted at HIV/AIDS prevention and/or the elimination of prejudice and discrimination against HIV/AIDS-affected individuals, and for programs that provide services to people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS. The Foundation funds nonprofit organizations providing direct care for persons with HIV/AIDS or prevention education programs directed towards persons practicing high risk behavior. There is no deadline.

For more information see http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFundResults.asp?DocStart=91&SearchType=Simple&SimpleSearchString=Health

or http://www.ejaf.org/.

JOHN M. LLOYD FOUNDATION

Fund category: HIV/AIDS

Maximum Funding: $20,000

The Foundation supports enlightened public policy programs that advocate for improved access to HIV/AIDS care and services, relevant research efforts, effective prevention programs, and successful education initiatives worldwide. The Foundation also funds pioneering programs that promote education, awareness, and compassion about HIV/AIDS worldwide; novel HIV prevention efforts aimed at men, women, and children worldwide; and medical research that focuses on the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Recognizing however that resources are limited compared to the scope of research efforts in HIV/AIDS, the Foundation gives preference to seed grants and small workshops that stimulate new directions for research. The next application deadline is July 15, 2006.

For more information see http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFundResults.asp?DocStart=91&SearchType=Simple&SimpleSearchString=Health

MAC AIDS FUND: GLOBAL FOUNDATION GRANTS

Fund category: HIV/AIDS

The MAC AIDS Fund encourages charitable, non-profit organizations to submit applications now for funding in a number of HIV/AIDS related program areas. Typically the Fund supports organizations that provide basic needs, direct services, education, awareness and prevention programs to men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. Application dates are open ended. Proposals need to be received at least three weeks prior to quarterly board meetings, usually held in March, June, September, and December.

For more information see http://www.macaidsfund.org/ or http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateFundResults.asp?DocStart=91&SearchType=Simple&SimpleSearchString=Health

4. OTHER NEWS AND RESOURCES

GIFT MEMBERSHIPS – A SUGGESTION FOR EXPANDING CCIH’S MINISTRY

Please consider giving a gift membership to introduce new organizations and individuals to CCIH’s information sharing and networking services. CCIH now has about 70 organizational members, which is triple the number of four years ago (go to http://www.ccih.org/members/index.htm). An increasing number of these members are organizations in developing countries. Membership by individuals has expanded rapidly as well.

A number of people have paid for gift memberships to allow new organizations, both in the U.S. and overseas, to join CCIH and become a part of this global network of Christians promoting international health and wholeness from a Christian perspective. The cost of dues is modest: $40 for a developing country organization and $100 for a small U.S. organization. Contact CCIH Program Associate Sharon Franzén for more information, sfranzen@ccih.org.

NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE FROM MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE -"MAKING ENDS MEET: AIDS AND POVERTY"

A new DVD from MCC explores the impact of poverty on the spread of HIV/AIDS and the impact of HIV/AIDS on the economic development of households and communities. A rural family is separated as members migrate to surrounding areas in search of employment. A business tries to deal with a growing number of employees dying. National health programs and social welfare systems are stretched to meet the needs of large numbers of people with HIV/AIDS. This video explores how the disease is straining the expanding economies of India and South Africa, where AIDS populations are the highest in the world. People in each say they cannot address AIDS without addressing poverty. The DVD includes several videos. "Not One Alone" tells how church workers in Zimbabwe and Mozambique work together to fight AIDS. "The Church Steps Forward" features African church members sharing their struggles with AIDS and calling on the global church to respond to the pandemic. "Faith Alive" highlights the work of a Nigerian AIDS clinic, and "AIDS Care Kits" shows the packing and distribution of AIDS care kits. The DVD also offers a music video, posters, an AIDS care kit content list and Web links. It can be borrowed or purchased from MCC offices in the U.S. and Canada.  For more information, go to http://www.thenovgroup.com/MCC/catalog/ and use the search feature to find "Making Ends Meet". For more information on the Mennonite Central Committee go to http://www.mcc.org.

ONLINE FORUM ADDRESSES “ABC” AND HIV PREVENTION

CCIH member Ed Scholl, who works in the YouthNet program of Family Health International, a large consulting organization that is a “Friend of CCIH,” has initiated an online discussion on ABC and HIV prevention. For his questions and a number of responses, go to http://fhi.org/en/Youth/YouthNet/Publications/pregprevforum/digest14.htm.

To subscribe to CCIH’s free email listserv on “ABCplus,” send a blank email to ABCplus-join@ccih.org. ABCplus is an email dialogue on information and challenges relating to abstinence, fidelity, and condom use, recognizing the many complexities of sexual behavior and the relevance of gender inequity, poverty, and other factors that influence behavior.

NEW CHRISTIAN HEALTH MINISTRY JOURNAL NOW ONLINE

The inaugural issue of CROSSNETWORK Journal, a free interdenominational multidisciplinary on-line publication for the Christian health ministry and missions community, is now accessible at http://crossnetwork.org/14201.html. It is the journal for the Christian Health and Wholeness Network (CHAWN). CCIH member Peter Yorgin (pyorgin@yahoo.com) is the editor. Articles include:

- CCIH member Dan Fountain in an editorial on New Paradigms in Christian Health Ministries

HIV/AIDS "CALLED TO CARE" TOOLKIT FOR CHURCH AND COMMUNITY LEADERS

Strategies for Hope Trust has designed a "Called To Care" toolkit for use by church and community leaders who want to take practical action to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS. The first two tools were launched at the International Conference for AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) in Abuja, Nigeria. Published in collaboration with World Vision International and the African Network of Religious Leaders Living With or Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (ANERELA+), Tool No. 1 is a booklet called "Positive Voices" which presents the testimonies of 14 African religious leaders who are living with or personally affected by HIV. The second tool, "Making It Happen" is a mini-manual which aims to guide and support church groups through the process of planning, establishing, and managing an HIV/AIDS Project.

To order either of the above booklets go to http://www.talcuk.org/catalog/ and enter the names into the search field. For more HIV/AIDS resources from Strategies for Hope Trust visit their website at http://www.stratshope.org.

PACT'S COMMUNITY REACH PROGRAM RELEASES "ENGAGING LOCAL NGOs IN THE RESPONSE TO HIV/AIDS"

Local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), and community-based organizations (CBOs) have always been and continue to be a driving force in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In many countries, they have been responsible for the majority of the resources reaching individuals and have played a leading role in developing and implementing sustainable strategies to mitigate and prevent HIV/AIDS.

The goal of PACT's paper "Engaging Local NGOs in the Response to HIV/AIDS" is to begin a discussion among donors, international and local NGOs, and multilateral and U.S. government representatives on how to effectively engage indigenous partners and transfer much needed resources. The paper outlines some successful strategies of local NGO engagement, examines local NGO strengths and weaknesses, provides advice to donors on effective and sustainable partnerships and describes four funding models that harness the strengths of local NGOs to effectively respond to HIV/AIDS.

To download this paper go to http://www.pactworld.com/reach/documents/engaging.pdf. For information on PACT visit its website at http://www.pactworld.com.

GLOBAL FUND GRANTS DELIVER SUBSTANTIAL NEW RESULTS

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, which provides funding for 323 projects in 130 countries, including many faith-based organizations, reported significant advances. It currently contributes one quarter of all external donor resources worldwide to combat HIV/AIDS, two thirds of all external resources against tuberculosis, and well over half of all donor resources against malaria.

As of the end of November, 384,000 people have begun Antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, nearly triple the number of ARV recipients funded by Global Fund resources one year ago. Its funding to combat malaria expanded distribution of insecticide treated bed nets to 7.7 million, a 150% growth in six months, and TB programs have detected and treated more than one million cases through DOTS (Directly Observed Short Course Treatment). Financing of expensive artemisinin-based combination therapy for malaria control has been a major Fund innovation.

A funding gap for years 2006 and 2007 threatens to curtail the momentum of funded programs as well as funding for new rounds of grants, a major concern for many advocacy groups. Contact CCIH for more information on how FBOs can access Global Fund grants.

For more information, go to http://www.theglobalfund.org or contact Rosie Vanek at rosie.vanek@theglobalfund.org. For information about an advocacy group, Friends of the Global Fight, go to www.jointheglobalfund.org, or email Info@TheGlobalFight.org.

GLOBAL HEALTH WATCH 2005-2006: AN ALTERNATIVE WORLD HEALTH REPORT

The Hesperian Foundation announces the American publication of Global Health Watch 2005-2006: An Alternative World Health Report, which offers a comprehensive survey of the key areas that influence the health of poor and vulnerable groups in all countries, including climate change, water, nutrition, national health policies, and the brain drain of health professionals from South to North. Originally published in England by Zed Press, Global Health Watch documents the widening health inequalities within and between countries, and challenges the major global bodies that influence health, including the World Bank, World Health Organization, and UNICEF.

For more information about the Global Health Watch, contact Lisa Gonzalves or Tawnia Queen at 510-845-1447, or email phm@hesperian.org. To order copies of Global Health Watch call 1-888-729-1796 or email bookorders@hesperian.org.

CCIH ASKS FOR YOUR HELP IN IDENTIFYING STUDENT LIAISONS

One of the elements of CCIH’s effort to strengthen its outreach and service to students interested in international health from a Christian perspective is to establish a framework to facilitate communication with Christian students.

Request: if you know a faculty member or a student at any college or university who might serve as a contact person to disseminate messages from CCIH to students and faculty interested in international health or HIV/AIDS, please email Sharon Franzén at sfranzen@ccih.org.

The only expectation is to identify interested students and faculty, and then forward occasional emails to them that CCIH would send. Such a communication tree would help transmit valuable information about students and Christian international health, conferences of interest, information about careers, jobs or internships, etc. Targeted institutions include schools of public health, medical schools, and Christian undergraduate colleges.