Workshop prepares HIV service providers to access sustainable funding

In December 2019, SHOPS Plus hosted a workshop with a technical consultative group of local NGOs providing HIV services in the Dominican Republic. The workshop outlined requirements, processes, and best practices for contracting with the public health insurance company. With this knowledge, NGOs are prepared to access a sustainable source of domestic financing required to continue serving those most in need.

Identifying sustainable funding for HIV service providers

NGOs play a significant role in the Dominican Republic’s national HIV response, particularly in addressing key and priority populations. Often reliant on declining donor funding, NGOs must access new revenue streams to ensure that they can continue providing life-saving services.

In response to this critical issue, SHOPS Plus supports NGOs, historically reliant on PEPFAR funding, to contract with Seguro Nacional de Salud (SENASA), the public health insurance company. Once contracted with SENASA, NGOs receive reimbursements for services provided to people living with HIV, thereby guaranteeing the financial means necessary to continue their work. However, in order to contract with SENASA, service providers must fulfill several requirements around infrastructure, equipment, human resources, and certifications.

Expanding SHOPS Plus’s reach to increase impact

SHOPS Plus began its efforts in this area by supporting five NGOs to become compliant with contracting requirements. Three NGOs have since contracted with SENASA, and SHOPS Plus is working with the other two to do the same. Still, there are many other NGOs that may want to contract with SENASA to have a sustainable domestic revenue source.

To support their efforts, SHOPS Plus developed a manual documenting the steps that NGOs should take to meet SENASA’s contracting requirements. The project then held a workshop with Grupo Consultivo de Servicios Clinicos de VIH, a local NGO technical group comprised of 13 NGOs that deliver HIV services throughout the country. In the session, SHOPS Plus handed over the manual, provided guidance on how to assess the readiness of member NGOs to contract with SENASA, and outlined the types of support that the NGOs will likely need from Grupo Consultivo to navigate the contracting process. SHOPS Plus also shared lessons learned and best practices identified during the implementation of the contracting process between the five NGOs and SENASA.

Transferring knowledge to ensure sustainability

By training Grupo Consultivo on the contracting process, SHOPS Plus has ensured that this valuable knowledge is accessible to NGOs beyond the life of the project. In the meantime, SHOPS Plus remains available to answer questions and provide guidance to NGOs in the Grupo Consultivo to ensure a smooth transfer of knowledge to local stakeholders.

Watch a video of the SHOPS Plus chief of party for the Dominican Republic Nassim Díaz Casado to learn more about the country achieved the landmark agreement for increased domestic resources.