The Society for Family Health, SFH (formerly SMA), is a non-governmental organization that has been operating in Namibia, Southern Africa since 1997. SFH is a member of the PSI Washington DC global network.

SFH implements programs in malaria control, maternal and child health and HIV. 

SFH’s programmes are focused on: 

• HIV and AIDS (Prevention, Care and Support) and
• Maternal and Child Care (Malaria, Safe Water and Pneumonia)
• HIV Workplace Programme (Uniformed Services - Military and the Police) Most At Risk Populations – MARPs - Female Sex Workers, Truckers, Seafarers, Out of School Youths
• SFH’s TUSNAO - a post HIV test programme  

 

SFH’s programs are implemented in all 13 regions of the country. The organization has regional offices in Zambezi, Kavango East & West, Ohangwena, Oshana, Otjozondjupa, Erongo, Omusati, Khomas and Karas.

 

 

PROGRAMS
 

Malaria Program

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services, SFH has been implementing a malaria prevention program targeting pregnant women and children under five.

• The program is aimed at reducing the national burden of malaria and ensures that at-risk populations adopt and sustain malaria control behaviors.
• The program targets primarily pregnant women and children under five, and also works with other vulnerable groups such as people living with HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis patients and pensioners.
• The program is implemented in six of the 13 political regions.

 

 

HIV/AIDS Program

The SFH HIV program consists of 3 projects:

Prevention with Most At-Risk Populations

The overall goal of the Key Populations (KP) program is to create an enabling environment to reduce HIV transmission among KPs through comprehensive HIV prevention services and linkages to care and treatment for men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers (SWS) and clients of sex workers (i.e. truckers, seafarers and miners).

Uniformed Services

The interventions under this program are aimed at reducing HIV infections and mitigate its impact among uniformed services personnel across the country. The program promotes abstinence, mutual fidelity, correct and consistent use of condoms, voluntary medical male circumcision, partner reduction, reduction of HIV-related stigma, and access to and use of HIV counseling and testing services.

• PolAction – In partnership with the Ministry of Safety & Security, this project is tailored exclusively to the needs of police officers, their workplaces and their families.
• MAPP – In partnership with the Ministry of Defense, this project serves all members of the military and their families in Namibia.

 

TUSANO

The Tusano project is a capacity development program that provides skills and training to people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) to tackle poverty and dependency. In addition, the program provides psycho-social care and support and advocacy.

• Provide high-quality psychosocial support to enable PLHWA to come to terms with their status, develop and strengthen social networks.
• Improve knowledge on food, nutrition and HIV and AIDS, while supporting PLWHA to initiate sustainable small-scale garden production.
• Enable PLWHA to personalize HIV/AIDS, raise awareness through innovative communication and media initiatives.
• Increase knowledge and understanding of human rights.
• Build skills and increase opportunities for PLWHA to start small-scale businesses that are both viable and sustainable.

 

Other Programs

SFH has also embarked on a 2-year diarrhea prevention pilot project that focuses on safe water and behavior change in the three north-east regions of Namibia. With this project, SFH seeks to improve access to household water treatment and awareness of safe water, sanitation and hygiene practices. The Tusano project, started in 2004 with the primary goal of providing critical services for people living with HIV and AIDS, also forms an important component of maternal and child heath survival.