Overview

The EXCELERATE and ISHARE projects build off the well-established CDC-funded ARC (AIDS Resource Center) project which ran in Ethiopia from 2002 to 2011. While some of the activities initiated during ARC are continued through EXCELERATE and ISHARE, the new projects also branch off to include several innovative and exciting activities. The goal of EXCELERATE and ISHARE is to contribute to reducing new HIV infections and AIDS related morbidity and to mitigate its impact in Ethiopia.

ISHARE (Integrated Strengthening of Health and AIDS Resources in Ethiopia) is a 5-year, CDC-funded project that began in 2011. The ISHARE name reflects the right of all Ethiopians to have easy access to high quality health information and services. The “I” in the name embodies a vision where all stakeholders in HIV feel personally committed to ensuring coordinated action among government, donor, service providers, civil society and community members.

ISHARE’s central strategy is to build on the solid foundation and innovative programming models of the ARC and take them to the next level by strengthening IT/knowledge management networks, refining referral systems, strengthening capacity at all levels, and linking these advances to action at the community level through RARCs and civil society partners.

Key activities include: strengthening IT systems, the Wegen AIDS Talkline, Fitun Warmline, ARC Library and Clearinghouse, technical support to the RARCs and BCC advocacy materials dissemination.

Accomplishments

• The ARC Library fosters awareness and enables users to do research to inform themselves as well as the design and planning of HIV programs over the past ten years. Moreover, the Library allows users to borrow materials, browse the Internet and includes a space offering Braille, audio and other services for people with disabilities. With the current capacity, the Library hosts 130 users at a time, and has so far reached 72,300 (13,700 female, 58,580 male) visitors to date.
• ARC updated its library resources and collection by acquiring various forms of educational, BCC (behavior change communication) materials, research documents and scientific biomedical journals for reference and distribution purposes. The library acquired subscriptions to 23 biomedical journals, ordered 200 books, restocked a total of 62 titles (with 445,012 copies) and obtained 23 research-related resources and an additional 232 materials through donations.
• The toll-free Wegen AIDS Talkline provides accurate counseling, information and referrals. With an average of 4,000 calls answered per day, over 2.5 million calls have been received since its inception. The Talkline has also conducted on- and off-the-job trainings and capacity building activities for counselors, held a case conference, and served as a resource for internal programs and external organizations.
• ARC partnered with Solomon Advert and Publication on their radio program “Milash” to provide accurate and detailed information pertaining to HIV/AIDS policy and legal issues. Wegen AIDS Talkine staff reviewed 30 episodes and offered insight on how to address difficult issues, which included legal considerations about HIV counseling and testing, confidentiality, stigma and discrimination at the workplace, among others.
• The Fitun Warmline is another toll-free line that serves a similar purpose as the Talkline, but is geared toward health care providers seeking information on HIV treatment and care. Since May 2008, the Warmline has responded to over 2,500 consultations, including calls, emails and other enquiries.
• ARC’s IT Web/Software team provided technical support for ICASA 2011, which took place in Addis Ababa in December, by maintaining both the English and French websites and adding newly requested features and content.