Integrated services for key populations: Lessons learnt from the Bridging the Gaps programme

The Bridging the Gaps programme aims to increase access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support and ensure full human rights for key populations, who are most affected by HIV but least supported. The right to lead a healthy and fulfilling life is universal but not accessible for all. In order to improve the access to healthcare services for key populations, the Bridging the Gaps programme aims to integrate specific services for these groups into general healthcare systems, because:

• In many countries, key populations which include people living with HIV face social exclusion, discrimination and stigma within the general health system. This negatively affects the access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
• Evidence shows that integration of services for key populations increases access to health services.
• Providing accessible HIV-related health services for key populations shows a significant reduction in a country’s HIV prevalence.
• Integration of services has the potential to be sustainable and cost-efficient for both providers and service users, strengthens health systems and
• promotes the continuum of care.
• Lastly, all people have the right to equal access to health services.

Although integration of services is not a new theme, evidence related to implementing and evaluating integration programmes is not readily available. There is little guidance for planners and decision-makers on how to plan and implement integrated health service delivery for key populations. Evidence for low and middle income countries is especially scarce. This document provides lessons learnt of the Bridging the Gaps programme linked to the global strategy of the WHO on integrated and people-centred services for key populations. In 2015 Bridging the Gaps, in collaboration with VU University Amsterdam, conducted qualitative research to collect best practices, lessons learnt and critical facilitators for integrating services in South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Indonesia, Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan.

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