Title: TPO-Uganda game-changer innovations in provision of essential services for HIV+ children during COVID- 19 lockdown in South Western Uganda to attain 94% viral suppression.

Biography:

Denis Nuwagaba holds MSc Public Health from International Health Sciences University, MA in Development Studies from Uganda Martyrs University. Denis has 18 years of expereince with reputable international and national organizations where he has designed and managed several USAID/PEPFAR funded Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and HIV/AIDS projects. He currently serves as a Director Technical Services/Deputy Chief of Party for a five-year USAID’s Keeping Children Healthy and Safe (KCHS) project in 17 districts, South Western Uganda aimed at preventing new HIV infections, ensuring all HIV+ children, adults are enrolled into treatment program and virally suppressing to realize better health outcomes.

Abstract

TPO-Uganda with funding from USAID/PEPFAR is implementing a five-year Keeping Children Healthy and Safe (KCHS) Project in 17 districts of South Western Uganda that enrolls HIV+ children into treatment program plus supporting viral load suppression (VLS).However, COVID-19 complexties disrupted provision of essential services to HIV+ children a threat to Uganda’s  gains in the epidemic response. KCHS project adopted game-changer innovations including tele-case management where services are delivered through phone calls with caregivers, placement of Case Workers at high volume facilities to support children missing appointments, provision of emergency food support to families facing acute food shortage. KCHS is an active member and hosts District COVID-19 task force meetings that allowed project staff and volunteers continue to provide key services like drug refills. KCHS management information system provides reliable weekly data to monitor viral load and address suppression barriers. The October 2020-September 2021project data confirm that service delivery innovations adopted by KCHS have resulted into a remarkable VLS at 94% for HIV+ children 0-18 years which exceeds national VLS coverage at 88% for 10-19 years for the same period.This affirms that  USAID/PEPFAR funded OVC programs are key contribuors towards epidemic control in Uganda. Despite COVID-19 disruptions, KCHS project adaptations made it possible to achieve outstanding VLS which is critical for realizing the third “95” for lifelong antiretroviral treatment adherence. The impressive VLS results achieved by KCHS suggests that projects supporting HIV treatment should be flexible and innovative during emergencies like COVID-19 to keep HIV epidemic response on track to realize 95-95-95 goals