OCTOBER 2007 — The FHI-managed IMPACT Project in Egypt helped develop a national response to HIV/AIDS, strengthening the capacity of government and civil society organizations to implement prevention and care services relating to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, while producing a wealth of data on HIV/AIDS and STIs.

In 1999, the project conducted the first study that tested participants for STIs in Egypt, and completed in 2006 the country’s first biological and behavioral surveillance survey. In 2003, the project established Egypt’s first street-based outreach program for injection drug users, and launched in 2004 its first anonymous, voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) site for HIV. Data gathered allowed evidence-based programs to be designed that targeted groups most at risk of HIV and other STIs and to expand services to meet the needs of these groups.

IMPACT/Egypt was also the first organization to work with the Egyptian government on enhancing voluntary, nonremunerated blood donation. This entailed several years of comprehensive training and technical support for staff working within government blood banks to ensure a safe blood supply.

Support that built Egypt’s capacity to provide HIV/AIDS prevention and care was in the form of trainings, program design and implementation, and the development of national guidelines. IMPACT/Egypt also built the capacity of local NGOs and faith-based organizations to implement VCT, conduct outreach to high-risk groups, and implement national-level surveys. Among others, activities were conducted with local and regional religious leaders, healthcare providers and pharmacists, youth, Bedouins, garbage collectors, and individuals in the private sector.