2016 Experience Exchange Meeting of China CARES Program Round 3 for Model Exploration Held in Changsha

To further boost the implementation of China CARES Program Round 3 and effectively share experiences and outcomes in model exploration in demonstration sites, the National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention (NCAIDS) under China CDC convened the 2016 experience exchange meeting of China CARES Program Round 3 for model exploration in Changsha, Hunan Province from May 18 to 20, 2016, as commissioned by the Bureau of Disease Prevention and Control, National Health and Family Planning Commission.

According to the 2016 workplan, China CARES Program Office will convene a series of experience exchange meetings for demonstration sites to facilitate guidance and communication. The first experience exchange meeting was held in Changsha. There were a total of 55 participants from the Bureau of Disease Prevention and Control and NCAIDS as well as health and family planning commissions and CDCs from 21 demonstration sites in 17 provinces/municipalities/autonomous regions and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.

The 21 city-level demonstration sites have similar sizes and are facing similar problems and challenges in response to HIV/AIDS. Deputy Director Xia Gang of the Bureau of Disease Prevention and Control gave an opening address. He emphasized the importance of leveraging demonstration sites as platforms to innovate models and address key issues in HIV/AIDS response, particularly stated the significance of demonstration sites in response to HIV/AIDS at the very beginning of the "National 13th Five-Year Plan" Period, and put forward specific requirements for maximizing such three roles of demonstration sites as "stabilizer" for HIV/AIDS epidemic, "pilot sites" for model exploration and "pioneers" in HIV/AIDS response. Deputy Director Sun Jiangping of NCAIDS gave a keynote speech. He summarized achievements in 2015, analyzed and evaluated the implementation, progress and existing issues of program activities in demonstration sites based on the M&E protocol, and presented priorities in 2016.

Representatives from 12 demonstration sites presented experiences in exploring models for different components of HIV/AIDS response. Participants had lively discussions, and experts of NCAIDS made on-site comments. Topics exchanged by demonstration sites include: (1) Chengdu City, Sichuan Province: 121 "Youths and HIV Response" initiative for young students; (2) Honghuagang District, Guizhou Province: Addressing the sources via two perspectives, and leveraging multiple approaches to achieve effectiveness; (3) Chengmai County, Hainan Province: Integration of compulsory isolation detoxification, community drug control/rehabilitation and drug maintenance therapy; (4) Jinan City, Shandong Province: PPM and social synergy to achieve new breakthroughs in ART; (5) Fuzhou City, Fujian Province: Multi-channel and multi-perspective active response to HIV/AIDS among the elderly; (6) Beijing: Scale-up of HIV testing and treatment innovations among MSM; (7) Yuzhong District, Chongqing: Continuous improvement of "three-in-one" model to boost HIV/AIDS response; (8) Changchun City, Jilin Province: Hospitals/clinic departments/doctors and nurses designated to increase access of AIDS patients to medical services; (9) Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province: Growth and development of MSM social organizations; (10) Changsha City, Hunan Province: Exploration into community-based comprehensive intervention models for people using synthetic drugs; (11) Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province: Leveraging the leading role of health facilities to improve HIV and syphilis tests for STI clients; and (12) Yunnan Province: Exploration into marketing models for HIV antibody saliva rapid testing.

China CARES Program Office gave a special lecture on methods for writing good practices in model exploration and "locally appropriate strategies" for demonstration sites. Deputy Director Sun Jiangping made concluding remarks, further emphasizing specific requirements for next steps in demonstration sites and reiterating the effect and significance of model exploration.

Participants actively interacted and discussed relevant issues during the meeting. They reported that the meeting was very fruitful and had practical guidance for their daily work. They hope to have more such experience exchange opportunities. (Source: Zhao Yuan, NCAIDS Demonstration Site Transfer Payment Management Office, June 14, 2016)