APACE – Accelerating Program Achievements to Control the Epidemic

APACE: Accelerating Program Achievements to Control the Epidemic, Lejweleputswa District.

Project Overview

The Accelerating Program Achievements to Control the Epidemic (APACE) project is a partnership between Wits RHI and USAID to intensify the control of the HIV epidemic in South Africa, specifically in the Lejweleputswa District in the Free State. This program works closely with the Department of Health and key stakeholders to implement targeted strategies across the HIV and TB care continuum, helping prevent new infections and reduce HIV-related morbidity and mortality.

Rationale

South Africa, home to the largest HIV treatment program worldwide, faces ongoing challenges in both preventing new infections and providing sustained treatment to those affected. Despite significant progress in meeting UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, the country still experiences a treatment gap, particularly in the second and third 90s. APACE’s work focuses on bridging this gap and accelerating progress toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals. The project combines innovative clinical and non-clinical strategies to strengthen health systems at the district level, ensuring all patient groups have access to comprehensive HIV and TB care.

Target Population

• People Living with HIV (PLHIV)
• Adolescent Girls and Young Women
• Healthcare Workers

Primary Objectives

• Increase the proportion of people living with HIV who know their status, are on treatment, and achieve viral suppression.
• Improve HIV and TB care by strengthening district health systems through workforce development, information systems, health financing, service quality improvement, and governance.
• Support national health systems to scale up advanced HIV care, particularly for adolescent girls, young women, and those accessing PrEP and Dolutegravir.

Secondary Objectives

• Provide technical support to national health systems, including clinical care training and the rollout of HIV prevention tools.
• Implement advanced strategies for patient management and retention in care.

Key Achievements

• HIV Testing & Treatment: Conducted over 99,740 HIV tests, identifying 42,613 PLHIV, of which 91% were initiated on treatment, with 95% achieving viral suppression.
• Prevention Efforts: Initiated 15,991 individuals on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), including 5,588 adolescent girls and young women.
• Advanced Care: Increased pediatric HIV treatment access to Dolutegravir from 22% to 78% within a year.
• Innovative Solutions: Introduced a motorcycle ART delivery system benefiting over 5,000 patients, reducing clinic congestion and improving access

Investigators

• Programme Head: Dr Arabang Letebele
• M&E Lead: Meriam Seheri
• Operations Lead: Enoch Manyame
• Community Services Lead: Pitso Rasiile

Donor

• PEPFAR through United States Agency For International Development

Latest Update

November 2024

For More Information

For more information about APACE, please email rhicomms@wrhi.ac.za