Additional Context: According to the Clinton Health Access Initiative, or CHAI, persistently low pediatric treatment initiations reflect continued reductions in specialized pediatric and community-based services, including index testing and support for tracing and linkage to care. Ongoing integration of pediatric HIV services into general health facilities without adequate provider training and support, and HIV test kit shortages have further reduced opportunities to identify children living with HIV and start them on treatment. This underscores the need to safeguard children’s access to care within broader HIV program redesign.

Devex Researcher Note: The U.S. had been one of the major supporters of community and last-mile outreach services, with aid cuts causing layoffs and center closures across dozens of countries. Psychosocial and peer support had been largely delivered through the U.S.-funded DREAMS program with consequences reported in monitoring and care engagement.

Source: CHAI