Award Recognizes RHITES-E for Agility, Effectiveness in Boosting HIV Services in Uganda  

October 02, 2019IntraHealth International’s Regional Health Integration to Enhance Services in Eastern Uganda (RHITES-E) Activity has won the2019 CLA (Collaborate, Learn, Adapt) award from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for its agility in boosting HIV services in the eastern region of Uganda. In March 2018, Uganda’s Ministry of Health introduced a surge strategy, in line with the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) efforts, to find more people living with HIV and enroll them in care by improving HIV testing efficiency and linkages to treatment. To reach these goals, RHITES-E formed teams to scale up services.  But when March 2019 program data indicated persistently low levels of retention—that is, clients who stopped taking their HIV medications—because facilities were not following up with them, RHITES-E reengaged all 70 of the surge sites it supports to bring lost clients back to care.  Currently, 87% of the 1.4 million people living with HIV in Uganda know their status and are on treatment. One of the surge sites, Namakwekwe Health Center III in Uganda’s Mbale municipality, is increasing HIV testing and counseling services as part of efforts to reach UNAIDS’ fast-track goal of 95%. The facility serves vulnerable, at-risk populations such as adolescents, young mothers, and members of key populations, which makes bringing them back t...

Source: IntraHealth International - October 2, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: cbishopp Tags: Uganda Regional Health Integration to Enhance Services in Eastern Uganda (RHITES-East) HIV & AIDS Source Type: news