Self-care has been an integral component of the healthcare system and integrated in HIV response, reshaping how HIV prevention, treatment and care services are provided as a response to COVID-19. On day three and four of AIDS2020:Virtual, watch as PSI and partners discuss how this is done and more. Links to recordings of each session will be added as they become available.
On Wednesday July 8 and Thursday July 9, here is where PSI and our partners shared learnings and best practices for the global HIV response.
Private Sector Delivery of Self-testing
Organizers: Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and USAID
PSI Presence: Dr. Hildah Essendi (PS Kenya), Dr. Karin Hatzold (PSI Global) and Dr. Catherine Kidiga (PSI)
HIVST Communications and Demand Creation Tools: Experiences from Three Countries in Africa
Organizers: STAR Initiative
PSI Presence: Mpho Brown, (PSI Lesotho)
Watch the recording here
Costing of HIVST Distribution and Linkage Models
Organizers: PATH
Watch the recording here
COVID-19 and HIV: Zoom into HIVST Pharmacy Distribution Models, Experiences from South Africa and Eswatini
Organizers: UNITAID
PSI Presence: Ralitza Dekova, (PSI Eswatini)
Watch the recording here
COVID-19 and HIVST: Zoom into HIVST Online Distribution Models, Experiences from South Africa and Vietnam
Organizers: STAR Initiative, SFR South Africa, USAID and PATH
PSI Presence: Aayush Solanki, PSI
Watch the recording here
HIV, Self-Care and COVID-19: Lessons for the Future of the HIV Response
Organizers: Self-Care Trailblazers Group (SCTG), CIFF, IPPF, PATH, FHI360, JHPIEGO and AIDSFONDS
HIV Self-Testing: Where Are We with Policy, HIV Self-Test Kit Regulation and Registration and Safety Monitoring Webinar
Organizers: LTSM, WHO, Ezintsha and CeSSHAR
PSI Presence: Dr. Karin Hatzhold, (PSI Global)
Watch the recording here
Check out our twitter highlights below to see what you may have missed from our day three and four events!
Thanks for joining us yesterday at day two of #AIDS2020! Today, listen in to a satellite symposium hosted by @CIFFchild and @USAID as they explore the private sector delivery of #selftesting. Details below! #HIVST #TheNextFuture https://t.co/l9DSgdp6IL pic.twitter.com/6V4T29VeDC
— PSI (@PSIimpact) July 8, 2020
The private sector can offer less stigma and judgment, so it's an attractive option for vulnerable populations to access #HIVST. Together with donors like @CIFFchild & @USAIDGH, we're learning how to deliver tests to the 21% of #PLHIV who don't know their status. #AIDS2020Virtual
— PSI (@PSIimpact) July 8, 2020
Brian Reid, VP @orasure: The threat of non-QA tests is great; #HIVST distributors need to work together to maximize the distribution of high-quality tests for a healthy market. #AIDS2020Virtual
— PSI (@PSIimpact) July 8, 2020
Time for a 🔥 HOT TALK!
— STAR Initiative (@SelfTestAfrica) July 8, 2020
Interested in demand creation and communication tools for #HIVST?
Learn more today at 4AM EDT|10AM UTC+2 with @SelfTestAfrica here: https://t.co/dnHeXakqmG #TheNextFuture #AIDS2020Virtual pic.twitter.com/DcihDtqaDt
Time for a 🔥HOT TALK!
— STAR Initiative (@SelfTestAfrica) July 8, 2020
Join @SelfTestAfrica as they dive into the costing of #HIVST distribution and linkage models.
Today at 8AM EDT|2PM UTC+2. Check it out here: https://t.co/Kw8x5sU6F6 #TheNextFuture #AIDS2020Virtual pic.twitter.com/g6Tz400vxj
Fern Terris-Prestholt from @LSHTM states that "#HIVST is a tool to change behaviour" giving control to the user and not placing additional pressure on healthcare workers, especially during the time of a #pandemic.
— STAR Initiative (@SelfTestAfrica) July 8, 2020
Fern Terris-Prestholt @LSHTM states that although the initial investment in HIVST may be high, the long-term gain of clients understanding how to do self-tests is a long-term gain. For instance, most people now know how to conduct a pregnancy test without training. #HIVST
— STAR Initiative (@SelfTestAfrica) July 8, 2020
Time for a 🔥 HOT TALK!
— STAR Initiative (@SelfTestAfrica) July 8, 2020
Join @SelfTestAfrica as they look at experiences from South Africa and eSwatini with #HIVST pharmacy distribution models.
Today at 11AM EDT|5PM UTC+2 Join the conversation here: https://t.co/fKw6BS0fyf #TheNextFuture #AIDS2020Virtual pic.twitter.com/e03EiGPEEW
According to @moemz07 from @WitsRHI @ezintsha says that #HIVST through pharmacy distribution models has a huge role to play during COVID-19. Access to decentralised delivery models must continue and be extended. Digital tools can both protect HCWs and clients. #AIDS2020Virtual
— STAR Initiative (@SelfTestAfrica) July 8, 2020
Rali Dekova @swazibg of @PSIEswatini states that during COVID-19 HTS were limited to distribution of HIVST to shops & pharmacies - although community distribution was disrupted the pivot led to 23 123 #HIVST kits been issued in April and May alone #AIDS2020Virtual
— STAR Initiative (@SelfTestAfrica) July 8, 2020
Celeste Madondo of @PSI_SA says that #HIVST creates an enabling environment for self-care - a function which is under the individuals control & deliberately self-initiated. In South Africa a HIV self-test kit can be ordered online: https://t.co/QJZ36xw9rr#AIDS2020Virtual
— STAR Initiative (@SelfTestAfrica) July 8, 2020
“The biggest advantage of #SelfCare like #HIVST is the ability to improve outreach and access to those not currently being reached, including people who might be more active online, men, young people, and KPs.” PATH’s @Davina_Can #AIDS2020Virtual pic.twitter.com/r1HVOK7ov5
— PATH (@PATHtweets) July 9, 2020
"We see better outcomes with interventions when individuals have more control over the pace and situation when it comes to #selfcare management tools, we need to allow communities to drive the results" says Anderson Langdon of @bfpaonline #AIDS2020Virtual
— Self-Care Trailblazer Group (@SelfCare4UHC) July 9, 2020
"If we educate people in our communities about self-care, they will be open to it and we can ensure important conversations are had and who feel comfortable and empowered to take their own health into their hands" says Khanyiswa Kwatsha from @WitsRHI #AIDS2020
— Self-Care Trailblazer Group (@SelfCare4UHC) July 9, 2020
“Pushing #SelfCare forward as part of the HIV response will also contribute to concurrent goals building stronger #PrimaryHealthCare systems and moving us forward towards #HealthForAll.” PATH’s @Davina_Can #AIDS2020Virtual
— PATH (@PATHtweets) July 9, 2020
Cheryl Case Johnson @ccasejohn @WHO states that there has been a big development in #HIVST - a preliminary update, as of end-June 2020, reveals that 45% (87/194) of reporting countries have #HIVST policies & 54% (42) countries have HIVST implementation. @Unitaid @AtlasProjet
— STAR Initiative (@SelfTestAfrica) July 9, 2020
Agnes Kijo @Agneskijo @WHO says that lessons learned re regulating diagnostics (IVDs) include Collaborative Registration Procedure (CRP), an innovative mechanism that accelerates registration & timely availability.
— STAR Initiative (@SelfTestAfrica) July 9, 2020
Mohammed Majam @moemz07 @ezintsha discusses WHO PQ #HIVST products & says “there is no perfect test because not all testers are perfect, but all pre-qualified tests are proven fit for purpose and rely on effective and efficient delivery models and support tools, as well as PMS”.
— STAR Initiative (@SelfTestAfrica) July 9, 2020
Mohammed Majam @moemz07 @WitsRHI @ezintsha concludes stating that #HIVST pipeline is strong – products are of good quality, competition is good and we should embrace it as this can help grow the market. @Unitaid @AtlasProjet @AFD_France
— STAR Initiative (@SelfTestAfrica) July 9, 2020
Euphemia Sibanda @Euphemia4 @CeSHHAR discusses optimizing the usability of #HIVST kits. Optimisation of instructions for use is important for each context, there can be marked urban:rural differences.
— STAR Initiative (@SelfTestAfrica) July 9, 2020