USAID SAFE: Supporting an AIDS-Free Era Program Quarterly Report 3rd Quarter – April 1 to June 30, 2019

The program operates in three provinces: Central, Copperbelt, and North Western, and is implemented by John Snow, Inc. (JSI) in partnership with Abt. Associates, Inc., mothers2mothers (m2m), and the Catholic Medical Mission Board. The program works with the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ), private-sector actors, and civil society institutions at various levels to increase access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-positive adults and children, reduce the incidence of new infections, and improve nutritional assessment, counseling, and support (NACS) and family planning services. The program is organized around nine clearly defined objectives, each of which must be fully completed to contribute to the program's overall success. These objectives include ensuring that 95 percent of HIV-positive individuals know their HIV status, initiating 95 percent of those who tested positive on ART, and ensuring that 95 percent of those on ART are virally suppressed. The program also aims to strengthen the health system to support the 95/95/95 objectives, provide voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) to priority populations to avert new infections, and integrate voluntary family planning (FP) services into 95 percent of HIV service delivery locations. As of the end of Quarter 3 (Q3) of Program year (PY) 2 in 256 public facilities, with 28 private facilities offering technical support, the program has achieved significant results. The number of people tested for HIV (HTS_TST) has reached 876,647, exceeding the annual target of 540,975. The number of individuals who were tested and received their positive results (HTS_TST_POS) has also increased to 55,896, representing an achievement of 162 percent towards the annual target. The positivity yield has remained relatively stable, with an average of 6.4 percent. The program has also made significant progress in linking individuals who test positive to treatment, with 93 percent of those who tested positive being put on treatment (LINKAGE). The number of newly-diagnosed adults commenced on ART (TX_NEW) has reached 53,125, representing an achievement of 89 percent towards the annual target. The number of adults and children currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (TX_CURR) has also increased to 248,751, representing an achievement of 80 percent towards the annual target. In addition, the program has made progress in providing VMMC services, with 57,799 males circumcised, representing an achievement of 94 percent towards the annual target. The number of clinics with integrated NACS services has also increased to 209, representing an achievement of 77 percent towards the annual target. Overall, the USAID SAFE Program has made significant progress in reducing HIV mortality, morbidity, and transmission in Zambia, and is on track to meet its objectives.