Sauti Project FY19 Q3 Progress Report

Agency for International Development under Cooperative Agreement AID-621-A-15-00003. The project is implemented by Jhpiego Corporation in partnership with EngenderHealth, Inc., Pact, Inc., and the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR). The project's primary objective is to support and advance the implementation of the US President's Plan for AIDS Relief by providing a package of core services to Key and Vulnerable Populations (KVP) in support of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania's commitment to HIV prevention. During the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2019 (April to June 2019), the Sauti project achieved significant milestones in its efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. The project offered HIV testing services to 75,486 KVPs across 38 subnational units in 11 regions, resulting in the identification of 8,114 new HIV positive beneficiaries. Of these, 7,662 were linked to treatment, representing a 94% enrollment rate. The project has reached 75% of its targets for HIV testing services and HIV positive by the end of Q3, placing it on track to meet annual targets. The success of the project's HIV testing efforts can be attributed to the index testing strategy, which contributed to 93% of all new HIV positive beneficiaries in Q3. Additionally, the project initiated 1,029 beneficiaries on PrEP, distributed 1,187 HIV self-tests, and linked 6,343 new HIV positive stable clients to ART in their community. While progress in distributing HIV self-test kits was not met due to guidance from the National AIDS Control Program, the project is working with facility partners to develop a transition plan for ART outreach services to facility implementing partners starting in FY20. The project also exceeded family planning targets, with a total of 34,178 beneficiaries receiving family planning services. This achievement is particularly notable for adolescent girls and young women and female sex workers, who are among the most vulnerable populations in Tanzania. The project's success in reaching these populations is a testament to its commitment to addressing the unique needs of KVPs and promoting comprehensive HIV prevention services. The Sauti project's efforts to strengthen the capacity of host government, civil society organizations, and communities are also yielding positive results. The project is working to increase the sustainability of comprehensive HIV prevention services by strengthening engagement and ownership of these stakeholders. This approach is critical to ensuring the long-term success of the project and its impact on the lives of KVPs in Tanzania. In terms of research and learning, the project is executing a robust research and learning agenda, which includes the collection and analysis of data on project outcomes and the identification of best practices in HIV prevention. This information will be used to inform project decisions and improve the effectiveness of its interventions. Overall, the Sauti project's progress in Q3 of FY19 is a testament to its commitment to addressing the complex challenges of HIV/AIDS in Tanzania. The project's focus on KVPs, its innovative approaches to HIV testing and prevention, and its efforts to strengthen the capacity of host government and civil society organizations make it a valuable partner in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Tanzania.