ARV Transition Readiness Assessment for Country Program Managers

The assessment is intended for use by Ministries of Health and National ART Programs to develop a national plan for transitioning to new ARVs. The assessment is divided into two parts: Section 1, which examines past ARV transitions and identifies lessons learned, and Section 2, which queries policies, support structures, and structures that will enable the effective introduction and scale-up of new ARVs. The second questionnaire includes 59 questions grouped by domain and subdomain, with answers ranked and coded across a scale indicating the level of preparation for transition. The assessment aims to cover a wide range of systems and processes, but may not be all-encompassing. Users are encouraged to include additional questions or adapt the assessment as needed. After completing the questionnaires, the Ministry of Health is encouraged to consider areas that are not well-prepared or are only partially prepared to support transition to new ARVs and develop an action plan to address and prioritize the gaps. A summary table is included to list key findings after review of the assessment questionnaire. The table is structured to allow users to guide transition planning. The assessment is intended to be shared with various stakeholders, including implementing partners, regional health management teams, health facility managers, and civil society of PLHIV. The assessment is designed to be completed by stakeholders familiar with decision-making and implementation during the past transition, with knowledge of decision-making and communications about the transition, as well as issues related to stock management and patient acceptability of new ARVs. The ARV Readiness Assessment is a critical tool for country programs to ensure a smooth transition to new ARVs, which are optimized for effectiveness, safety, and affordability in low- and middle-income countries. The assessment helps identify areas of strength and weakness in the program, enabling program managers to develop a comprehensive plan to address gaps and ensure a successful transition. The assessment is particularly relevant for countries introducing new ARVs, such as dolutegravir, which is being introduced in many countries as part of the OPTIMIZE project. The assessment is designed to be completed in the early stages of planning, ideally 12 months before implementation begins. The ARV Readiness Assessment is a valuable resource for country programs to ensure a successful transition to new ARVs, which will improve treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of treatment failure and drug resistance. The assessment is a critical component of the OPTIMIZE project, which aims to accelerate the development and introduction of optimized ARV products in low- and middle-income countries. The assessment is designed to be completed by country programs, with input from various stakeholders, including implementing partners, regional health management teams, and civil society of PLHIV. The assessment is a critical tool for country programs to ensure a smooth transition to new ARVs, which will improve treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of treatment failure and drug resistance. The ARV Readiness Assessment is a comprehensive tool that helps country programs evaluate their capacity and readiness to introduce and manage new, optimized ARVs. The assessment is designed to be completed in the early stages of planning, ideally 12 months before implementation begins. The assessment is a critical component of the OPTIMIZE project, which aims to accelerate the development and introduction of optimized ARV products in low- and middle-income countries. The assessment is particularly relevant for countries introducing new ARVs, such as dolutegravir, which is being introduced in many countries as part of the OPTIMIZE project. The assessment is designed to be completed by country programs, with input from various stakeholders, including implementing partners, regional health management teams, and civil society of PLHIV. The assessment is particularly relevant for countries introducing new ARVs, such as dolutegravir, which is being introduced in many countries as part of the OPTIMIZE project. The assessment is designed to be completed by country programs, with input from