EpiC Semi-Annual Report (FY21 Q3-Q4 April to September 2021) - Mozambique

7200AA19CA00002 implements two activities in Mozambique, a social and behavior change (SBC) activity in collaboration with EpiC global partner Population Services International (PSI), and a decentralized drug distribution (DDD) activity which FHI 360 implements directly. The SBC project focuses on delivering the Somos Iguais campaign, a strategic marketing campaign aimed at re-engaging and retaining men who were Lost To Follow Up (LTFU) from Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). The campaign was officially launched at the national level on May 3rd, with the support of implementing partners and the National AIDS Council of Mozambique (CNCS). The DDD activity supports the development and implementation of a national model for decentralized delivery of ART through private pharmacies. During the reporting period, EpiC supported the provinces in laying the infrastructure necessary for implementation of the approved model. The project worked with the national DDD Technical Working Group (TWG) to support the provinces in training private pharmacy personnel and health facility health providers, finalizing the private pharmacy accreditation, and finalizing the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). To facilitate roll-out, EpiC worked with the PEPFAR health information systems and supply chain partners to finalize and roll-out the electronic information systems to support DDD. The SBC activity has made significant progress in the second half of FY21, with the launch of the Somos Iguais campaign at national and provincial levels. The campaign has been facilitated by implementing partners, and the Above the Line (ATL) component has been kicked-off with the airing of TV spots, radio spots, and social media activities. The assessment of national influencers to be involved in the campaign has been finalized, and activities related to their involvement have been initiated. The development of Health Providers Communication materials has been finalized, and the U=U materials are ready to be aired on TV. The DDD activity has also made significant progress, with the training of private pharmacy professionals, health facility providers, and provincial/district/IP program managers across the 11 provinces. The project has provided both in-person and virtual support to the process. The accreditation of private pharmacies by the Autoridade Nacional Reguladora de Medicamentos (ANARME) has been finalized, and the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been reviewed and amended as necessary by the provincial teams with EpiC technical support. The electronic health and logistics information management systems (iDART mobile and SIGFAP) have been finalized and shared with the provinces, and the Technical Assistance and Supportive Supervision Guide for national and provincial level DDD support has been developed and approved by the DDD-TWG. The EpiC Project in Mozambique has three objectives in support of the SBC project and one objective in support of DDD. Objective 1 aims to improve the re-engagement and retention of men who were Lost To Follow Up (LTFU) from ART with a strategic marketing campaign. Objective 2 aims to reduce stigma associated with HIV and ART with a national campaign for the general population and updated HIV and TB treatment literacy tools. Objective 3 aims to develop a youth retention support program that includes case management, peer mentorship, and group support. Objective 4 aims to support decentralized delivery of ART through FARMAC and other private pharmacies. The project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives, with the launch of the Somos Iguais campaign, the training of private pharmacy professionals, and the accreditation of private pharmacies. The project has also worked with the national and provincial technical working groups to support the provinces in implementing the DDD model. The project has provided technical assistance and supportive supervision to the national and provincial level DDD support teams. The project has also collaborated with FHI 360 Projects, CoVida/PASSOS, to explore areas of collaboration and synergies.