FHI 360 leads the HIV Service and Systems Strengthening project in the Dominican Republic. The project works to break through remaining, persistent barriers to achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 global goals, as well as to promote self-reliant management of HIV projects. Planned activities support the country's 90-90-90 strategy by filling gaps in HIV prevention, case finding and treatment and by building sustainable responses to epidemic control for Haitian migrants and their descendants.

The project, with funding from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), works closely with a local health system-strengthening partner, Gestión e Innovación en Salud, as well as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Health Service, the National HIV/AIDS Commission and the General Directorate for the Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections and AIDS.

Technical assistance and direct health services have been identified by the Government of the Dominican Republic and are tailored to the local context. The project has three priority pillars and two cross-cutting areas.

Priority pillars:

• Expanding access to HIV testing services for focus clients
• Strengthening antiretroviral treatment linkage, retention and viral load suppression among focus clients
• Improving quality of services

Cross-cutting areas:

• Supporting the orphans and vulnerable children program for focus client families
• Providing gender-based violence services
• Responding to HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic

One service designed to support these goals is the establishment of a free, confidential HIV and COVID-19 hotline for information, counseling services, referrals and linkages to medical care. The hotline, run by Haitian peer navigators, psychologists and doctors or those of Haitian descent, offers services in Creole and Spanish.