The Clinical and Community HIV/AIDS Services Strengthening (CHASS) project is designed to improve the quality, coverage and effectiveness of high-impact, evidence-based HIV/AIDS interventions in four provinces in Mozambique: Manica, Niassa, Sofala and Tete. The project, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), works to ensure that the right HIV/AIDS interventions are implemented at the right time and in the right places, to contribute to the goal of controlling the country’s HIV epidemic.
CHASS will pursue these objectives across all four provinces:
- Increase coverage of antiretroviral treatment (ART) to 90 percent
- Increase retention of patients on ART to 80 percent at 12 months and 70 percent at 36 months
- Increase the average CD4 count at initiation of ART from 350 to 500 cells per cubic millimeter
- Complete tuberculosis treatment for 90 percent of patients with HIV who are diagnosed with tuberculosis
- Operationalize viral load testing
In partnership with local organizations, district health teams, provincial health teams and the Ministry of Health, CHASS combines innovation, technical capacity strengthening of health facilities and community-based organizations, direct support for quality and integrated HIV/AIDS service delivery, and health systems strengthening at provincial and district levels. In line with USAID Forward principles, CHASS places more emphasis on technical assistance to the host government and local organizations to enhance local ownership of the national response. Additionally, the project supports the expansion of HIV prevention and treatment services in high-prevalence areas and among high-risk population groups. This approach aims to close existing coverage gaps and increase access by saturating services in districts and communities where HIV prevalence and unmet need are high.
FHI 360 is the prime partner of the initiative, which includes partnerships with Howard University, departments and agencies within the Mozambique Ministry of Health, and several regional and national nongovernmental organizations.
