ACTION to Sustain Precision and Integrated HIV Response towards Epidemic Control (ASPIRE) – HIV/AIDS Intervention in Nasarawa State and FCT

The ASPIRE project is a five-year project funded by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Project aims to sustain the precision and integrated HIV response towards epidemic control in Nigeria. It is specifically focused on strengthening laboratory capacity, improving HIV testing and treatment services, and providing care and support to people living with HIV.

EHAI as a sub-partner to the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria implements the ASPIRE Project in 14 health facilities in 3 LGAs (Nasarawa Eggon, Wamba, and Akwanga) in Nasarawa state and 2 facilities in Kwali LGA in FCT.

The ASPIRE Project aims to bridge gaps in HIV care by ensuring that all individuals, whether living with HIV or needing to be tested, receive timely treatment and support. Through its integrated approach, the project seeks to significantly reduce the burden of HIV in Nigeria.

Target Population:

• People living with HIV (PLHIV) who are currently on treatment.
• Treatment-naive individuals who need to be tested and enrolled into HIV care and treatment.

Key Activities:

• HIV Testing: Using rapid test kits, self-test kits, and Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) PCR testing.
• Enrollment into Care: Positive cases are immediately enrolled into treatment and care services.
• Treatment and Drug Administration: Providing antiretroviral drugs and necessary care for people living with HIV.
• Laboratory Management: Conducting essential tests such as CD4 counts, viral load testing, TB, and Cryptococcal meningitis.
• Retention and Adherence: Ensuring that patients remain on their medications without being lost to follow-up.
• Viral Suppression: Aiming for patients to achieve a viral load of less than 1000, ideally under 20 copies/ml.
• Integrated Health Services: Offering additional services like cervical cancer screening, reproductive health (e.g., family planning), COVID testing and referrals, and screening for non-communicable diseases.
• Community Engagement: Conducting joint mentoring and supervision with IHVN to ensure that all healthcare workers are equipped to provide comprehensive HIV care and support.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

• Expanded Treatment Access: Over the past two years, more than 1,200 individuals were newly diagnosed with HIV and initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Currently, 11,172 people (both new and existing clients) receive comprehensive clinical management and follow-up care under the HIV program.
• Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission: Notably, 240 children born to HIV-positive mothers tested HIV-negative. Furthermore, 18,151 pregnant women received HIV testing during antenatal care visits.
• Viral Suppression and Positive Living: An impressive 93% of clients on ART have achieved viral suppression, enabling them to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
• Tuberculosis (TB) Management: Comprehensive TB case finding efforts identified 1,894 TB cases, including 140 individuals co-infected with HIV, all of whom were placed on appropriate treatment.
• Adolescent Support: The Operation Triple Zero (OTZ) program enrolled 770 adolescents living with HIV, focusing on achieving zero missed appointments, zero missed medications, and zero viral load.
• Decentralized Service Delivery (DSD): Implementation of a DSD model has improved treatment accessibility by reducing barriers such as travel distance and waiting times. Community treatment support, provided by trained healthcare workers, peer supporters, and Community Based Organizations, further enhances patient engagement and minimizes treatment interruptions.
• Technology-Driven Adherence: The WellTimer App, an Android-based drug adherence reminder, is being deployed to reinforce medication adherence through automated reminders, thereby improving health outcomes and patient engagement.

Our integrated approach, combining community-based care with digital health solutions, ensures that individuals living with HIV receive timely, effective, and personalized support, leading to improved health outcomes and a higher quality of life.