In Burundi, the Reaching an AIDS-Free Generation (RAFG) activity works to meet the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets to end the AIDS epidemic by scaling up HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people living with HIV in targeted, high-prevalence provinces. In addition to the primary focus on men, women and infants, the activity also works with other at-risk groups, such as returning refugees, internally displaced persons, prisoners and mobile populations. Funding is provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The RAFG activity adopts an integrated, community-based approach in priority provinces. Services are delivered through local community networks, which include volunteers who are people living with HIV, peer educators and community leaders. RAFG closely collaborates with health districts, health facilities and civil society partners.
Using the science of quality improvement, the activity works to:
- Identify HIV-positive men, women and children through high-quality, targeted HIV testing services, including index testing, self-testing, partner notification services, DNA-polymerase chain reaction testing and HIV-exposed infant services, linking those who test positive to ART services and improving tuberculosis/HIV coinfection case identification
- Increase ART enrollment, adherence and retention by accelerating the initiation of test-and-start, same-day ART, differentiated models of care and prevention of mother-to-child transmission
- Ensure that men, women and children on ART are virally suppressed, receive quality viral load monitoring and receive tuberculosis treatment or preventive therapy where required
- Ensure laboratory capacities and sample transport networks are strengthened
FHI 360 is implementing the RAFG activity in collaboration with the Burundi Ministry of Health through its National Program against AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections and the following partners:
- Association Nationale de Soutien aux Séropositifs et Malades du Sida
- Centre Nouvelle Espérance
- Croix-Rouge du Burundi
- Réseau Burundais des Personnes Vivant avec le VIH/SIDA
- Service Yezu Mwiza
- Society for Women Against AIDS in Africa
- University Research Co. LLC
