Strategic Approaches in Implementing Accelerating Progress in Pediatric and PMTCT (AP3)

Overview

This project aimed at increasing and accelerating the progress of Pediatric HIV and PMTCT services by leveraging available resources and progress made in Nigeria through sustainable strategies that strengthen both facility-level and community-level interventions. The project focused on five states, namely Abia, Benue, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers, as well as national-level technical assistance support. EGPAF worked closely with the National AIDS and STDs Control Program (NASCP), State Ministries of Health, and CDC Lead Implementing Partners (IPs) to coordinate stakeholders’ engagement and unify vision.

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Key Factors Responsible for Success

• Strategic partnerships and collaborations with key players and stakeholders.
• Clearly defined roles and responsibilities between all stakeholders (States MOH, Lead IPs, and EGPAF) ensured integration and alignment of work plans mitigating duplication of efforts and implementation of activities with sustainable impact.
• Project introductory meetings with stakeholders and Lead IPs addressing specific roles led to close collaborations including planning and implementation of activities and facilitated a positive environment for partnership.
• ICC needs assessments were carried out with stakeholders to identify the needed resources and helped determine the available resources to be leveraged. This enabled strong ownership and equipped the SMOH to effectively monitor the HIV response.
• Effective and continuous stakeholder engagement and partnership with Lead IPs: Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN) in Abia State, APIN Public Health Initiatives in Benue State, Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS) in Delta State, Center for Integrated Health Program (CIHP), in Lagos State, and Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) in Rivers State led to a strong working relationship towards a shared goal of increasing coverages for PMTCT and Pediatric HIV.
• The State weekly AP3 ICC meetings involving all stakeholders and partners provided an avenue for a comprehensive data review, and activities updates and allowed quick decision making with immediate actionable steps to address any challenges in implementation.
• Joint mentoring and supportive supervisory visits to facilities informed by the gaps reviewed during the weekly AP3 ICC meetings led to a mentoring approach during the visits that provided capacity building tailored to the healthcare workers.
• Health system strengthening through workforce development addressing capacity gaps was informed by the identified challenges by both stakeholders and partners to sustainably improve health outcomes and improve the quality of service delivery.