SEPTEMBER 2007 — Beginning in 2004, the Implementing AIDS Preventions and Care (IMPACT) Project provided the Bolivian government with invaluable assistance in its efforts to fight and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. IMPACT strengthened the capacity of the Bolivian government and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to develop policies, systems and practices aimed at containing and combating the spread of the epidemic.

Early achievements of the IMPACT/Bolivia project include the successful development and production of a wide range of HIV/AIDS related policies, manuals, and materials. The most far reaching of these was the National HIV/AIDS strategic plan. Technical assistance from the IMPACT project enabled the Ministry of Health to develop and finalize the plan. Technical assistance was also provided to the Ministry of Health to develop information, education and communication materials.

Later achievements of the IMPACT/Bolivia project improved upon the country’s voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services. Technical assistance provided by IMPACT/Bolivia was instrumental in the production of a VCT counselors’ manual that was widely disseminated in Bolivia and has been used in conjunction with VCT services since 2005.  IMPACT/Bolivia staff also developed and translated tools for conducting a rapid situation assessment of VCT in the country, the results of which were used to determine opportunities for improvement in VCT service provision.  In response to the assessment, IMPACT/Bolivia staff facilitated HIV/AIDS counseling technique courses that improved counselor-patient communication and strengthened attendees’ technical skills. Responding to a request by USAID, additional IMPACT workshops identified and standardized the requirements for VCT centers and focused on providing a support network for HIV/AIDS counselors.