Comprehensive PMTCT Services: Call to Action
Keywords: private sector,prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT),community,capacity building,HIV testing
EGPA's strategy in Uganda has been to complement Uganda Ministry of Health and private partners to cover human resource, infrastructure, and commodity gaps in health districts. EGPAF Uganda helps with the design, development, management, monitoring, and technical support of the Uganda Ministry of Health PMTCT program.
Goal of the Practice
- To build district capacity in HIV counseling, testing, and provision of other HIV/AIDS services.
- To implement comprehensive PMTCT services.
- To generate sustainable capacity for district-led program scale-up.
Core Components
- Support and strengthen linkages to longitudinal care for HIV-infected mothers and their families.
- PMTCT program integrated into maternal & child health services, including such community programs as VCT and home-based care.
Noteworthy Results
- Increased access to PMTCT services; pregnant women and babies have accessed antiretroviral prophylaxes.
Lessons Learned
- PMTCT services could not be maximized unless the health system foundations were strengthened.
- Increasing coverage demanded a dependable supply of test kits and drugs.
- PMTCT had greater coverage than ART services, resulting in insufficient linkages to services.
- Provision of prophylaxis and follow-up of the exposed baby were the weakest links in the PMTCT continuum of care.
- Multiple approaches were needed to reach men with HIV information, testing, and services.
Project Documents
Focus Areas
PMTCT
Treatment
Implemented By
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Participating Organization
- Ministry of Health
- U.S. Government partners
- Faith-based organizations (FBOs)
- Community-based organizations (CBOs)
- Universities
- Other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
Region
Africa
Country
Uganda
Environment
Clinic/Health facility
Setting
Peri-urban
Target Population
Females
Scope
> 50000
Implementation Years
01/2003 - 12/2008
