From August 24-28, USAID’s Healthy Markets project collaborated with leading national clinical specialist Cao Thanh Thuy to conduct a training on viral hepatitis services for 27 health staff from six one-stop-shop clinics for key populations: Alocare, Galant, My Home, Bien Viet, Glink Hanoi, and Glink Ho Chi Minh City. Participants received both knowledge and practical skills training on how to provide essential viral hepatitis services to clients, including screening, testing, diagnosis, and treatment, with a specific focus on co-infection among those who use PrEP*, nPEP** or antiretroviral medication. While the training was delivered virtually, all trainees performed demonstrations and were tested after the training to show knowledge improvement.

So What? In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual training is critical to ensure staff are adequately prepared to deliver comprehensive health services, and this training equipped clinics with the skills and knowledge to provide viral hepatitis services to key populations. 

*Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a game-changing preventive medication that can reduce the risk of HIV infection by more than 92 percent, if taken daily, as part of a combination HIV prevention strategy.  
** Non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) is a short term treatment initiated to reduce the risk of HIV infection, if exposed to HIV during sex or when people share needles to inject drugs.