U.S. Embassy trains Sierra Leone military personnel in health skills

October 30, 2023

The Embassy Freetown Security Cooperation Team completed a five-day training on the Differentiated Service Delivery (DSD) model for the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) at the 34 Military Hospital in Freetown.

This DSD model simplifies HIV services for people living with HIV and reduces the burden on the health care system.

Thanks to support from the U.S. Department of Defense`s Her HIV and AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP), 40 Sierra Leonean military personnel, including nurses, doctors, and pharmacists, participated in his week-long training.

This DSD training aims to adapt your service delivery approach to meet the unique needs of RSLAF HIV patients. Additionally, the DSD model enables drug distribution closer to home, making it easier for patients to receive the care they need. This decentralized drug distribution reduces the need for patients to frequently visit health care facilities and makes it easier for patients to complete antiretroviral treatment.

This training was conducted in collaboration with facilitators from the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and the National DSD Program Team. Distance to treatment facilities, stigma, and lack of transportation are common barriers to continuity of HIV care.

The DSD model helps overcome these challenges and improve the quality of life for Sierra Leone military personnel.