Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (Jul 2023)

A Model for Accelerating Access to Care and Treatment for Children and Adolescents Living with HIV in Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia: The Faith-Based Action for Scaling-Up Testing and Treatment for the Epidemic Response (FASTER) Initiative

  • Daniel Oliver PhD,
  • David Mabirizi MPhil,
  • Marisa Hast PhD,
  • Mary Grace Alwano MPH,
  • Chalilwe Chungu MD,
  • Alphonce Kelemani MSc,
  • Chizoba Mbanefo MScPH,
  • Jessica Gross MSN, MPH,
  • KaeAnne Parris MPH,
  • Stephanie Dowling MPH,
  • Adele Clark MPH,
  • Amanda Williams MPH,
  • Lauren Simao MS,
  • Carolyn Amole BA,
  • Kanchana Suggu MA,
  • Jibrin Kama MPH,
  • Felton Mpasela BA,
  • Leah Mtui MPH,
  • Vennie Nabitaka MPH,
  • Renée Saunders MSW,
  • Dhelia Williamson PhD,
  • Emilia D Rivadeneira MD,
  • Susan Hrapcak MD,
  • Sophie Nantume MPH,
  • Esther Nazziwa MMed,
  • Megumi Itoh MD,
  • Edward Machage MMED,
  • Chibuzor Onyenuobi MD,
  • Gloria Munthali MD,
  • Anath Rwebembera MMED,
  • Mwiya Mwiya MD,
  • Cordelia Katureebe MMED,
  • Akudo Ikpeazu DrPH,
  • Thomas Fenn MA

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/23259582231186701
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22

Abstract

Read online

The number of children newly infected with HIV dropped by 50%, from 320 000 in 2010 to 160 000 in 2021. Despite progress, ongoing gaps persist in diagnosis, continuity of care, and treatment optimization. In response, the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief created the Faith-based Action for Scaling-Up Testing and Treatment for Epidemic Response (FASTER). Faith-based Action for Scaling-Up Testing and Treatment for Epidemic Response addressed gaps in countries with the highest unmet need by working with government to operationalize innovative interventions and ensure alignment with national priorities and with communities living with HIV to ensure the change was community-led. Between 2019 and 2021, FASTER's interventions were incorporated into national policies, absorbed by Ministries of Health, and taken up in subsequent awards and country operating plans. Continued effort is needed to sustain gains made during the FASTER initiative and to continue scaling evidence-based interventions to ensure that children and adolescents are not left behind in the global HIV response.