Work Plan on PEPFAR Minimal Program Requirements (MPR) and Sustainability Index Dashboard (SID)

The project focuses on four countries: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Panama. The project's objectives are to support regulatory aspects that enable the implementation of minimum program requirements in all HIV care programs and to support preparatory actions for the application of the Sustainability Index for HIV in the countries. The PEPFAR minimum program requirements are designed to achieve control of the epidemic and a sustainable response to HIV. The requirements include the adoption and implementation of test and start, rapid optimization of ART, adoption and implementation of differentiated service delivery models, completion of diagnostic network optimization activities, scale-up of index testing and self-testing, direct and immediate assessment for and offer of prevention services, elimination of user fees, assurance of program and site standards, evidence of treatment and viral load literacy activities, clear evidence of agency progress toward local partner direct funding, evidence of host governments assuming greater responsibility of the HIV response, monitoring and reporting of morbidity and mortality outcomes, and scale up of case surveillance and unique identifiers for patients. The project will give continuity to the initiated efforts in the policies and regulations areas to achieve compliance with the minimum requirements of PEPFAR and make progress in the sustainability of the response to HIV in the four countries. The project will work with different partners to support an integrated and sustainable response to HIV, which contributes to achieving the 95-95-95 goals for the year 2030. Central America is the most affected subregion by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Four of the six Latin American countries with the highest HIV prevalence rates are located in Central America, and in two of them, the prevalence rates are above 1%. The epidemic threatens to spread out of control unless prevention efforts are intensified in highly vulnerable groups, such as commercial sex workers, men who have sex with other men, and people deprived of liberty. The project's activities will focus on supporting regulatory aspects, preparatory actions for the application of the Sustainability Index for HIV, and the implementation of the minimum program requirements. The project will work with the countries to ensure that all PEPFAR programs meet all the minimum requirements that will lead to accomplishing the 95-95-95 goals by 2030, achieving the sustainability of the response to HIV in the countries where support is provided. The project will also support the elimination of stigma and discrimination and ensure that all ages, genders, and risk groups have access to HIV prevention and treatment services. The project's activities will be aligned with the global UNAIDS community, WHO, and the commitment of Heads of State to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a threat to public health by 2030. The project's work plan details the activities proposed by the Sustainable HIV Response in Central America project implemented by FANCAP to give continuity to the initiated efforts in the policies and regulations areas to achieve compliance with the minimum requirements of PEPFAR and make progress in the sustainability of the response to HIV in the four countries during the next three months.