EpiC Vietnam Semi-Annual Report (FY21 Q1-Q2 October 2020 to March 2021)

7200AA19CA00002 in Vietnam is a semi-annual progress report covering the period from October 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021. The report highlights the project's achievements and challenges in attaining key performance indicators (KPIs) and maintaining epidemic control among key populations (KP) and priority populations (PP). EpiC Vietnam is on pace to hit key annual PEPFAR FY21 targets, achieving 46.2 percent of outreach targets, 66.7 percent of case finding targets, 52.7 percent of treatment enrollment targets, and 20.0 percent of PrEP enrollment targets year-to-date (YTD). The project has made significant progress in institutionalizing the public health response, especially in Dong Nai, by using data to drive decision making and last-mile interventions for epidemic control. The project has established two health-positive one-stop shops, expanded online strategies to serve KPs across the HIV cascade, and provided robust index testing, facility, and community-based HIV testing, and HIV self-testing. EpiC has reached 11,407 members of key and priority populations (46.2 percent of annual target), tested 13,106 (53.1 percent of annual target), and confirmed 984 HIV-positive (66.7 percent of annual target). EpiC provides outreach services in five provinces: Dong Nai, Hanoi, HCMC, Tay Ninh, and Tien Giang. The project has rebuilt an outreach network in Dong Nai, focused on rebuilding an outreach network in Dong Nai, given the predecessor USAID SHIFT project did not previously have outreach targets in this province. EpiC has also worked with provincial authorities to launch three new PrEP sites in Tay Ninh and two new PrEP sites in Tien Giang. The project has developed a series of in-person and online strategies to boost PrEP enrollment, including motivational counseling training for community health supporters and site-based staff, social media campaigns, and events with key influencers. EpiC has also collaborated with the Vietnam Administration for HIV/AIDS Control (VAAC) to host two virtual trainings on HMED software for PrEP sites to support reporting. EpiC has established one-stop shops in Hanoi and HCMC, providing key populations with robust services in KP-friendly facilities. The project has partnered with the HCMC CDC to open a one-stop shop at Thu Duc District General Hospital, providing STI screening, HIV testing, and PrEP. EpiC has also partnered with Pluto to support services at a one-stop shop at the private sector Minh Ngoc Polyclinic in Hanoi. The project has used online and virtual strategies to reach, accurately track, and link clients to services. EpiC has integrated its online reservation app with the global Going Online team system and used online advertisements and community health supporters to boost its work. The project has replicated EpiC's QuickRes V2 online reservation platform and customized functionalities to connect clients to a variety of HIV and wraparound services. By the end of Q2, EpiC Vietnam had 36,732 patients in treatment at 31 supported sites. The project has made significant progress in attaining key performance indicators and maintaining epidemic control among key populations and priority populations. However, the project still faces challenges in increasing PrEP enrollment, particularly in urban centers such as Quang Ninh, Hanoi, and HCMC.