Empowering Frontline Responders Through ICT Training – The HSCL ACE 3 CCW’s Perspective
Amina Aminu is a dedicated Community Case Worker (CCW) with the Save the Children Initiative (STCI) in Sokoto State. For years, she supported HIV service delivery at the grassroots level but often felt limited when conducting index case testing (ICT) and partner elicitation due to a lack of structured training.
That changed in May 2025, when Amina joined a five-day ICT/Genealogy Testing Training organized by the ACE3 Project in collaboration with the Sokoto State HIV/AIDS and STI Program (SHS). Bringing together HTS providers, CCWs, and program staff, the training focused on strengthening HIV case finding through index testing and effective use of genealogy charts.
“Before the training, I struggled to engage clients during partner elicitation without making them uncomfortable,” Amina recalled. “Now, I feel confident and better equipped to support the HTS team.”
Participants explored ethical considerations, safe and confidential partner notification, accurate documentation, and practical use of genealogy tools. Hands-on role plays and one-on-one mentorship from experienced facilitators proved especially valuable.
Just a week later, Amina applied her new skills to identify three eligible contacts from a newly diagnosed client, linking two for HIV testing. One tested positive and was immediately connected to care, a moment that reinforced the value of her work.
“The training reminded me why our work matters,” she said with pride. “Every client we reach, every life we touch, is a victory in the fight against HIV.”
Amina’s journey reflects the transformative impact of targeted capacity building under the ACE3 Project, proving that when frontline responders are empowered with the right skills and tools, they can deliver better outcomes and strengthen community health systems.