The franchise trains accredited doctors in private clinics, nursing homes, missions, for-profit hospitals, and work place health centers to provide safe and affordable anti-retroviral therapy (ART) to employed persons and business people who can pay a portion of their healthcare costs. While the network was originally established to provide primarily HIV care and treatment, family planning services, TB case detection/screening, infection control, and prevention with positives services have been added. The providers are accredited and given a certificate with NASCOP (National AIDS and STI Control Programme) serialization.
In addition, Gold Star Network partners with insurance companies in the provision of HIV treatment services, a monthly stipend is paid to community health workers, and clients are linked to telecommunications support for treatment adherence and support.
There is also the Gold Star Network Support and Call Centre which provides clients with information on HIV/AIDS and its management, counsels for risk reduction and promotes the proper use of condoms, and reinforces positive behavior change and the development of new skills to reduce vulnerability and risky behavior. They provide counseling for clients to disclose their status to partners and members of their families, and provide access to family HIV testing and enrollment into care for those infected; promoting adequate nutrition, preventive therapies and adherence to treatment. The network trouble-shoots HIV/AIDS care and treatment issues that are of immediate concern to the client by counseling on contraceptive and fertility options, assist in tracking referrals, and follows-up on clients defaulting on treatment and returns them to care. They also provide information about GSN services, products, and upcoming events and facilitate linkages between Network providers and clients, mentors and consultants.
