What is your signature innovation, your new idea, in one sentence? - Travelling module that performs HIV detection test by combining education, prevention and health promotion
Describe what makes your idea unique--different from all others in the field. - It is the only traveling project generated by the civil society, performing early detection, by means of a free, confidential, anonymous and totally voluntary HIV detection test; and when required passing on to health instances for medical follow up. It is being carried out throughout the entire national territory and Central America in various stages, addressed to the most vulnerable population in general (low socioeconomic level, deteriorated urban environment, low educational level, scarce access to health services and information sources). Likewise, this project combines education, prevention and health promotion activities.
Do you have any existing partnerships, and if so, how did you create them? - A great number of relationships have been established with government organizations (CENSIDA/SSA, Instituto Mexicano de la Mujer y de la Juventud, HIV Program in D.F. and other states), organizations and civil society networks or coalitions, private initiative (some Laboratories and companies) public and private schools ((UNAM, POLITÉCNICO, UACM, UAM, Tec. De Monterrey, Universidad Pedagógica, CONALEPS) High schools, Universities of the city of Mexico, trade unions (seamstress, UNAM, ex-ruta 100), men and women suffering from HIV who live thanks to the different hospitals and self support provided by the IMSS, ISSSTE and non-government organizations, authorities from Politics delegations and City Council chosen for intervention, always within the aim of creating a synergy, which will benefit both parties. Some have provided financial support, and other collaborations in kind, and the rest by opening spaces to share out initiative and work in a collaborative manner.
Provide one sentence describing your impact/intended impact. - The “Condomovil” due to its travelling feature allows to efficiently promote the early detection through the HIV test
Please list any other measures of the impact of your innovation. - There has been an awareness increase on the importance of early detection, the knowledge and abilities of the assisted population about the HIV and STI prevention, sexual and reproductive healthcare, as well as the benefits derived from using prevention supplies (female and male condoms and water based lubricants) among highly vulnerable population promoting behavior changes. We are contributing to strengthen the tolerance atmosphere aiming at the discussion of issues that are difficult to approach such as sexual and reproductive health, STI and HIV prevention, stigma and discrimination, sexual diversity, human rights, through communitarian mobilization, education among equals and the social commercialization of condoms and lubricants. Approximately 50 people in different entities have been trained to carry out pre counseling, sample taking and post counseling to perform the HIV test.
Is there a policy intervention element to your innovation? No
How many people does your innovation serve or plan to serve? Exactly who will benefit from your innovation? - Direct impact on almost ten thousand attendees to the activities’ scope. On the other hand, five thousand people in an indirect manner. Population in general, of age, from marginal areas and in a highly vulnerable situation.
What is the key decision that you are trying to influence through your innovation/design? - Facilitate the access to a free of charge, confidential, anonymous and voluntary HIV test to assisted population and promote the information and prevention of HIV/aids, STI and non-desired pregnancy.
What have you learned about how people respond to your innovation/design?Fortunately, there is a positive response from the assisted population when receiving this service in a personalized and efficient manner, directly within their environment and free of charge, confidential, anonymous and voluntary, they are benefited since they have the opportunity to learn about their serologic status right away and without difficult paperwork.
How is your initiative financed (or how do you expect your initiative will be financed)? - In the current implementation phase, the “Condomovil” is funded by Aids Heathcare Foundation and Stendall Laboratory, in this manner managing to consolidate the project. In 2009, we will invite various financing parties to achieve a greater impact and effectiveness. In order to strengthen efficiency, the “Condomovil" carries our social commercialization of condoms, water based lubricants, theatre performances, thus generating resources to be able to survive. The 50% of resources in kind and /or materials are captured through and International Alliance by means of the donation of written material aimed at spreading, education and training. The remaining 50% are co-investors, DKT Internacional, Secretary of Federal Health Censida and the Program on HIV/Aids Federal District that donates materials and male condoms.
What are the main financial barriers, and how do you plan to address them? -Financial stability will depend on keeping the excellent relationship I hold with financing parties. Similarly, to increase our presence at Congresses at international, national, regional level or accept invitations that expressly state the interest of sharing our experience in any place, and keep, and enlarge the mobiles network of national and international prevention.
What was the motivation or defining moment that led to the creation of this innovation? Tell the story. - CAs a person living with HIV and being aware of the devastating impact that HIV/Aids produces worldwide, although its effects are stronger in developing countries and in communities with high poverty rates, nowadays 8.000 people every day die due to AIDS, 44 million worldwide live with HIV, together with high rates of non-desired pregnancy. That is why we developed "Come, have the test done at the Condomovil" to give an answer to the significant HIV transmission cases increase within highest vulnerability populations.
Please name and provide a personal bio of the social innovator behind this initiative. - Apolonio (Polo) Gómez México DF, 1964. Colectivo Sol member, tireless promoter of communitarian responses. Ashoka?s social entrepreneur and consultant to Alliance International HIV/AIDS, founder of the Latin American and Caribbean Prevention Mobiles Network. Created the so-called Condomovil, Condoners and Condomovila, projects that achieved huge impact and trajectory to educate and promote sexual health and HIV prevention.
At what stage is this initiative? - Implementation and impact, Implemented with replication and scale-up
Contact Information:
APOLONIO (POLO) GOMEZ Coordinador de programas de alcance directo con la Comunidad entre los que destacan: El Condomóvil, La Condomóvila y Las Condone Colectivo Sol, A. C. (Asociación Civil)