Military – Military PEPFAR Programs

Globally, militaries and defense forces are implicitly reliant on the strength of their fighting force. This strength is generated not only from absolute numbers but also by managing and maintaining the health of this force. In addition to triaging physical threats, militaries also face epidemiologic and disease threats such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. A military’s awareness of the extent of and the subsequent mitigation or stabilization of these threats is essential, helping advance social, political, and regional stability. 

As part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s directive (6485.02E) to support foreign militaries in mitigating HIV among their forces, the MHRP PEPFAR program provides assistance to militaries in Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

Various aspects of HIV prevention, care, and treatment activities are implemented at military sites throughout the respective countries. These activities support services to men and women in uniform and their dependents. In Nigeria and Tanzania, these services are also provided to the civilian populations surrounding the barracks and military medical facilities. With close to 80% of their patient populations being civilians, these military facilities function as an important component of their respective national health care systems. 

All military-military collaborations strive to support partner military development and strengthening of their own health systems. This includes assisting in building capacity and infrastructure of military partners to provide the necessary services including behavior interventions tailored to the risk factors their forces face. In all countries, programs, initiatives, and activities are managed and overseen via direct cooperation in country between MHRP and partner military senior leadership.

Dr. Dorothy Njeru

Clinical Care Manager
KMOD-PEPFAR

Read the Spring 2013 Issue (PDF)