ACCELERATING CONTROL OF THE HIV/AIDS PANDEMIC IN NIGERIA (ACE3) PROJECT
Our dedicated ART unit have made significant progress in providing comprehensive care to individuals living with HIV (PLHIV). 1,885 pregnant women received their first antenatal care services at facilities supported by ACE3. Among them, 18 tested positive for HIV and were linked to facilities for immediate initiation of treatment.
Our team also provided technical assistance and capacity building to facility and community case workers to enhance proficiency in delivering essential HIV testing services (HTS) while facilitating case finding. We also led an inclusive process involving relevant stakeholders to review and adapt technical working group (TWG) brochures for Sokoto and Zamfara states to ensure that our strategies are comprehensive while reflecting the diverse needs and perspectives of the communities served.
Challenges
One significant challenge has been guaranteeing data integrity and consistency across all healthcare facilities that we support. There was also the urgent need to re-establish the TWGs that had become inactive. Efficient proof of delivery (PoD) reconciliation and order fill rate (OFR) measurement was also challenging, particularly when evaluating the performance of third-party logistics (3PL) providers.
Project Updates
Latest updates on the ACE3 project include:
Improved Laboratory Services: Successful implementation of the Plasma Separation Card training program in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states has equipped healthcare personnel with improved skills for handling sample collection challenges especially in hard-to-reach areas.
Enhanced HIV/AIDS Prevention & Treatment: Capacity-building initiatives have empowered frontline healthcare workers with requisite knowledge for delivering high-quality HIV testing services (HTS) and antiretroviral drug (ARV) treatment leading to improved retention rates resulting in better health outcomes for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
Stronger Healthcare Systems: Collaborative monitoring alongside supportive supervision visits identifies gaps requiring service delivery improvements ensuring that necessary resources are always available, hence, delivering quality care to patients is guaranteed.
Testimonials
"The project's training programs were invaluable. Thanks to the ACE3 project support; we can now handle sample collection challenges effectively providing accurate diagnostic services." - Healthcare Worker from Zamfara State
"Collaborative efforts by this project led us towards significant improvements regarding HIV/AIDS prevention plus treatment within our state via strategic partnerships together alongside capacity-building initiatives which boosted retention rates besides adherence leading ultimately into better health outcomes among individuals living through AIDS/HIV." - Government Official from Sokoto State
"This project's support strengthened our healthcare systems for improvement service delivery through collaborative monitoring and supportive supervision. We have identified gaps in service delivery, and we are now improving on them to ensure that necessary resources availability guarantees quality care provision." - Healthcare Administrator from Kebbi State
Conclusion
Looking back, we're proud of the progress and achievements made on this project. We remain grateful for the dedication and hard work demonstrated by stakeholders. We will continue to collaborate and innovate together to build a healthier and more prosperous healthy future for everyone.