Progress Report: Technical Support to PEPFAR Programs in the Southern Africa Region’ (TSP) Program

The program aims to improve clinical and technical outcomes of partner programs in the region by providing technical support and short and medium-term program assistance and capacity building towards sustainability. The TSP program brings together the unique strengths of the BIPAI network and ICAP at Columbia University to provide technical assistance and program implementation in pursuit of the following goal and objectives: to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa, improve clinical and technical outcomes of partner programs, improve and rapidly expand pediatric and adolescent treatment services, and implement PEPFAR programs through RHAP funding or specified buy-ins from USAID missions in the region. The program features a 'Dream Team' of 10 technical and topical experts who are available for immediate technical assistance deployment. TSP will work closely with USAID missions and MOH partners to respond to requests for technical assistance and tailor approaches on a case-by-case basis. The program is expected to strengthen capacity to propel the region towards achievement of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 benchmarks, which call for 90% of HIV-infected individuals to know their status, 90% of patients who know their status to be started and adherent on ART, and 90% of patients on ART to be virally suppressed by 2020. During the reporting period, TSP engaged in several activities, including a pediatric HIV consultancy in Zimbabwe, an external participatory evaluation of the South Africa PEPFAR-funded USAID HIV Treatment Program, and an advancing PEPFAR/Swaziland's HIV/AIDS Community Engagement Program. The program also conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes comparing monthly and multi-month ART prescription schedules for children and adolescents in six African countries, which provided reassurance that patients 0-19 years of age who are clinically stable and ART adherent can do well with reduced clinical visits via multi-month prescriptions. The results of the study were presented in part by Dr. Maria Kim to WHO Geneva in November, and a supplementary budget was approved to prepare an abstract and paper for potential publication in 2017. The program is committed to serving the vision of an 'AIDS-Free Generation' and capitalizing on the unique opportunity to truly realize 'Control of the Epidemic' through a skilled, coordinated regional approach. The TSP program has made significant progress in its first year, with several activities underway and a strong team in place to provide technical assistance and program implementation. The program is well-positioned to deliver on its objectives and contribute to the reduction of the impact of HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa.