Monday, April 28, 2025
4/28/2025
South Sudan HIV/AIDS Reversal Project (SHARP) - CMMB and its consortium partners, collaborating with the Ministry of Health (MOH), will build on two decades of PEPFAR learnings to improve delivery of HIV services in South Sudan, accelerate this new nation’s progress toward UNAIDS’ 95–95–95 targets, and strengthen local capacities toward organizational and programmatic sustainability. The data-driven South Sudan HIV/AIDS Reversal Project (SHARP) will be grounded in global best practices. We will work in 22 counties in five states, supporting 72 health facilities. At facility level, we will strengthen service delivery (e.g., staff capacity) with on-site mentoring, complemented by trainings using the remote platform Extension of Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) platform. At community level, we will strengthen community-based organizations (CBOs) and volunteers, the critical link between individuals and facilities. Approaches from PEPFAR’s Faith and Communities Initiative and Messages of Hope campaign will target fear and stigma, which deter HIV service uptake. Data underpins the design and will guide performance improvement via participation in granular site management (GSM). Progress will be measured and entered in DHIS2 and other databases, so that we can track what is working and expand it or make adjustments. Toward the first 95, we will provide screening and testing in both facilities and communities, differentiating approaches by population and rigorously using index testing approaches and following up on elicited contacts. HIV self-testing will be provided when appropriate. A proficiency testing activity will support testing accuracy. For those who test negative, we will promote pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Those positive will be supported by peer navigators for immediate linkage to lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART). Toward the second 95, we will provide compassionate, person-centered care to retain every patient in treatment, reinforcing community structures to support that. Focus will be on tracking mother–baby pairs until final status determination. We will dispense antiretroviral drugs in multimonth quantities, in optimized formulations; we will help PLHIV understand why it matters. We will cement TB/HIV integration. Operation Triple Zero will target youth challenges. Links to nutrition programs will help PLHIV meet their needs. Toward the third 95, we will improve lab systems to ensure timely, accurate diagnostics and viral load measurements. Innovation will ensure efficient sample transport to GeneXpert sites. Point-of-care testing will be optimized and extended. Cross-cutting themes will reinforce activities supporting the three 95s. Our management approach features a national-level project team with advisers for each of 11 technical areas. Four state-level teams replicate the national team, cascading to 13 county-based field teams—the first line of coaching and supervision for supported health facilities. State- and county-level teams will mix seconded and SHARP staff; colocations with MOH counterparts will foster learning. A support team will oversee all SHARP finance and administration. Collaboration and rapid mobilization will ensure no interruption in services. The consortium will draw on experience working under PEPFAR/CDC in South Sudan, elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, and in fragile Haiti. The project design is informed by learnings from CDC-funded ALESIDA ("Go Away, AIDS!") in Haiti and successful ANISA2 in Western Equatoria, among other projects. Cordaid will bring experience with South Sudan’s laboratory systems. Local CMC and SOSUCCA will add deep knowledge of reaching and working with South Sudanese communities. World Bicycle Relief will bring its game-changing transport/entrepreneurship model. Together, we will build on community assets, PEPFAR achievements, and community and MOH talents to reverse the trajectory of HIV in South Sudan.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).