AMREF's vision
To advance Africa's health by catalysing an evidence-based movement aimed at reducing the gap between communities and the rest of the health system.
Mission
AMREF is committed to improving health and health care in Tanzania. We aim to ensure that every Tanzanian can enjoy the right to good health, by helping to create vibrant networks of informed and empowered communities and health care providers working together in strong health systems.
AMREF's Course on Counselling and Testing
AMREF is a leader in Counselling and Testing in Tanzania and has trained more than 40% of trained counsellors practicing in the country. In addition to training, AMREF has developed quality assurance tools based on the service provision in the Tanzanian context. Through its extensive experience, AMREF continues to train and sub-grant government facilities and CSOs in Counselling and testing across Tanzania through its ANGAZA Counselling and Testing Programme. In view of the success in counselling and testing training and practice, AMREF now wishes to extend this training to participants beyond its current counselling and testing partners to expand the reach and impact of counselling and testing in the country.
Aim
The aim of this course is to contribute to national response to HIV and AIDS in prevention, care and treatment, and support through provision of client centered voluntary counselling and testing services. The course will strengthen participants' skills on quality service delivery which includes: Comprehensive information on HIVand AIDS, prevention, care and treatment. In addition, participants will be introduced to theories of practice and skills on self awareness, counselling and communication.
Course Objective
The main objective of the course is to equip service providers with knowledge, attitudes and skills for providing high quality client initiated voluntary counselling and testing services to enable people know their HIV sero-status.
Key Course Outcome
Counsellors in HIV and AIDS delivering quality HIV and AIDS services in Tanzania.
Training Curriculum and Content
The curriculum will be covered in four weeks of continuous training, translating into a total of 135 hours.The first three weeks will cover theory and micro counselling exercises related to each module, and will also provide knowledge and skills necessary in HIV testing using rapid test assays. Trainees will be given the opportunity to do practical training in testing centres in the fourth week of their training. AMREF uses National Training Curriculum and Guidelines. The training is facilitated by National Trainers recognised by NACP/MOH.The content of the course is divided into eight modules with various subsessions in each of the modules. Each sub session is allocated one hour of facilitation. The modules covered include:
Module 1: Self-awareness
Module 2: Basic information on HIV and AIDS Counselling and Testing
Module 3: Counselling Theories, Approaches andTechniques
Module 4: Counselling for Specific Target Groups and Situations
Module 5: Counselling, Care and Treatment
Module 6: VCT Service Delivery and Programme Management
Module 7: HIV Testing in CT Service Delivery
Module 8: Counselling Skills, Ethical Codes and Supervision of Counselling Practice.
Methodology
The course will employ participatory methods in imparting knowledge and skills on the principles and practice of counselling.
Eligibility
This short course is designed for health care providers including registered nurses, medical practitioners, laboratory technicians, social workers, community development persons or nutritionists. Additional requirements include a minimum education of form four(IV), two years experience working in HIV and AIDS and good interpersonal skills.
Duration and Venue
The four-week training course will initially take place in its Dar es Salaam and Mwanza Training Centres as follows:
Dar es Salaam: November 9 - December 5, 2009
Mwanza: November 16 - December 12, 2009
Fees
Participants will be required to pay Tsh 470,000/= to cover tuition, and course administration costs.
Mode of payment:
Bank Name: NBC Ltd
Account Name: AMREF
Account Number in Tshs: 011103000446
Account Number in USD: 012105005128
Accommodation and other Logistics
Accommodation, meals, medical care and transport to and from the venue will be the responsibility of each course participant.
Certification
Successful completion of the course will lead to Counsellor Certificates offered by the National AIDS Control Program of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Enquiries and Application Deadline
All enquiries and applications for this course should be sent to the undersigned:
Program Manager
E-mail: capacity.building@amref.org
Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road
P.O. Box 2773 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Deadline for applications: One week prior to start date of the course.
Etinishimbo Uroki, Machame VCT Centre, Moshi, Kilimanjaro
After each client had left, the supervisor gave me some useful feedback on my performance, highlighting my areas of strength and weakness; until I finally was informed that my performance measured to quality VCT standards set by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. I'm grateful to AMREF for the competence and confidence I have in HIV and AIDS counselling. |
In 2003, I was lucky to attend a 4-week VCT course at the AMREF Training Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. As part of my training, I was attached to a health facility for practical training, under supervision of a facilitator. During field work, I learnt more on counselling by translating theory into practice. During the sessions, my supervisor observed and listened as I counselled. 
In 2003, I was lucky to attend a 4-week VCT course at the AMREF Training Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. As part of my training, I was attached to a health facility for practical training, under supervision of a facilitator. During field work, I learnt more on counselling by translating theory into practice. During the sessions, my supervisor observed and listened as I counselled. 
