Save the Child Initiative (STCI), is a non-profit making, non-governmental voluntary organization founded in October 2001 with a mission of promoting the overall development of women, youth and children through advocacy, public enlightenment as well as sensitization. The organization signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with Health System Consult Limited (HSCL) to implement the USAID ACE3 Project a project in Sokoto State.
The ACE3 project aims to reduce HIV/AIDS/TB incidence, morbidity, and mortality in the general population by:
- Increasing access to HIV/TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
- Ensuring retention in care and achieving viral suppression
- Addressing biological, social, and structural drivers of the epidemic
- Strengthening health system sustainability
With technical support from Project Hope and HSCL, the project provided a range of HIV services, including:
- HIV Testing Services (HTS)
- Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT)
- PREP Initiation
- Linkages and referrals
- Index testing
- Tracking back clients who interrupted treatment
- Viral load sample collection
In the Month of October, STCI conducted:
- Community HTS testing in strategic locations across 12 implementing LGAs
- Refresher training for 40 Community Case Workers (CCWs) and 6 Cluster Leads (CLs) on efficient HIV case identification and linkage to care
- Community HTS, referral, and linkage of identified positive clients to care
- PREP initiation
- Support for Spokesites with Dual Combo Test kits to enhance PMTCT statistics
- Tracking back clients who interrupted treatment
- Viral load screening services for eligible clients
- PMTCT data capture from ACE3-supported spoke sites
Key Achievements
- Enhanced capacity of CCWs and CLs for HIV case identification and linkage
- Increased access to HIV testing and treatment services
- Improved PMTCT statistics and viral load suppression rates
- Strengthened collaboration and synergy among stakeholders
