Seafarers Health Education Counselling (SHEC) – Building the Capacity of Diagnostic Clinics

This pilot project aims to improve capacity in Voluntary Confidential Counselling and Testing (VCCT) and enhance the provision of HIV/AIDS and STI education offered by HIV/AIDS diagnostic clinics. It seeks to build upon existing best practices and develop new models that can be scaled up once the pilot phase has ended.

The project will provide diagnostic clinics with trainings on pre/post test counselling on HIV/AIDS and produce educational material in the form of a comic book to be distributed in the clinics and other appropriate venues.

Another component of the project is the involvement of HIV positive seafarers in peer education and monitoring. Their involvement will not only help the departing seafarers better understand the issue but also increase skills and confidence among HIV positive seafarers.