North Star Foundation

North Star Foundation (NSF) is a public-private partnership that is establishing a network of roadside health clinics at major truck stops and border crossings in Africa, India and Asia. Wellness Centers offer a practical, low-barrier and low-cost response to the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) among the transport industry.

In 2005, TNT and WFP established two Wellness Centers in Malawi to make long-haul truck drivers more aware of the dangers of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. A year later, TNT, with support from the WFP, founded North Star Foundation.

NSF offers a full range of services related to the establishment and running of roadside clinics in transport hubs and/or border crossing transport stops. Working with local implementing partners we can source, outfit, supply and staff new centers. NSF has experience working with national/regional transport sectors and health authorities to identify HIV/AIDS hotspots along major transport corridors. Furthermore, NSF leverages a broader private sector response to HIV/AIDS programming by encouraging other private sector companies (e.g. FMCG, transport, distribution and courier companies) to support the project (financial and in-kind).

The centers provide sexual health education, counseling, testing and treatment for drivers and the communities with which they directly interact, including sex workers.

North Star Foundation is currently expanding aggressively in East Africa where it is rolling out the first of more than 20 new Wellness Centres in 11 countries planned over the next five years.

You can find out more at http://www.northstarfoundation.org/