Support the Strengthening and Utilization of Strategic Information Activities in the Republic of South Africa under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
South Africa has the largest population of persons living with HIV/AIDS in the world, estimated to be more than 6.4 million (see Human Sciences Research Council, HSRC, 2012). South Africa has a mixed epidemic that includes both the general population and key population risk groups, and a diverse health system with a range of access and coverage of HIV-related health services. South Africa is also significantly affected by converging epidemics of HIV and Tuberculosis (TB), as well as poverty-related illnesses, non-communicable diseases, and violence and injury. The 2012 South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behavior Survey estimates the adult (aged 15-49 years) HIV prevalence at 18.8% and the HIV incidence at 1.72%. The South African government has implemented a series of activities to track trends in the HIV epidemic, and monitor and measure the impact of HIV prevention activities, care and treatment programs, and to assess the capacity and needs of the healthcare system in response to the significant HIV-related health burdens facing the country. Consequently, a strategic objective of PEPFAR South Africa (SA) is to strengthen, harmonize and expand these efforts to ensure a coordinated HIV response and optimal utilization of vital PEPFAR resources in South Africa by ensuring the availability of high-quality data for disease and program monitoring and planning purposes. Alignment with PEPFAR/Host Country National Government Priorities: The United States Government (USG) and the South African Government (SAG) signed the Partnership Framework Implementation Plan in Support of South Africa’s National HIV, STI, and TB Response 2012/13 – 2016/17 (PFIP)1 signed on December 10, 2010. This agreement commits the SAG and USG to the principles of South African leadership including programmatic alignment, sustainability, innovation and responsiveness to the epidemics, mutual accountability, multi-sectorial engagement and participation, gender sensitivity, financial transparency, and fostering partnerships. The goal of PEPFAR South Africa is working in close collaboration with SAG to realize the following goals of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis (2012 – 2016) (NSP): • Reduce new HIV infections by at least 50%, using combination prevention approaches; • Initiate at least 80% of eligible patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART), with 70% alive and on treatment five years after initiation; • Reduce the number of new TB infections, as well as the number of TB deaths, by 50%; and • Ensure an enabling and accessible legal framework that protects and promotes human rights in order to support implementation of the NSP A key aspect of the work of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief team in South Africa (PEPFAR South Africa) is building South Africa’s capacity to collect and use strategic information to ensure maximum impact on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. As such, PEPFAR South Africa (SA) aims to develop, implement, strengthen and evaluate HIV strategic information activities including but not limited to surveillance, surveys, implementation science, evaluation, qualitative studies, and health systems strengthening activities.
Office: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
fev5@cdc.gov
