Aug 14, 2025 | News

Building the HIVE

Highlights of Activities Across the Network

April

Training on VTP Services in Kenya

In April 2025, HIVE supported Kenya’s National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP) and non-profit LVCT Health to train sub-national health managers from eight Kenyan counties on integrated delivery of vertical transmission prevention (VTP) services. The training, delivered during a Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting between April 14 and 18, contributed to a decision-making framework to guide the integration of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B services into maternal and child health platforms. This activity responded to service integration gaps observed during the USG stop-work order period and laid the groundwork for sustainable, integrated service delivery aligned with Kenya’s triple elimination agenda.

Safeguarding HIV and Maternal Child Health Services in Mozambique

From April 27 to May 1, 2025, ICAP’s HIVE and CQUIN teams joined a delegation from the Gates Foundation on a technical assistance visit to Mozambique to explore potential areas of Gates Foundation support that would enable Mozambique to adapt and innovate in the face of funding constraints and assess the impact of HIV funding disruptions on vertical transmission prevention services. The team engaged with national stakeholders and partners to understand service gaps and explore potential areas of support, including supply chain issues, gaps in sample transport, monitoring and evaluation, and service delivery breakdowns. The visit catalyzed a shared commitment to align technical support with national priorities and ensure data-driven, sustainable solutions that safeguard HIV program gains.

ICAP’s CQUIN and HIVE delegation at UNAIDS in Mozambique. From left to right (Rachel Mudekereza, CQUIN/HIVE Senior Regional Clinical Advisor, West and Central Africa, Daniel Shodell, Senior Program Officer, Gates Foundation, Marta Bazima, Partnership and Community Advisor, UNAIDS Mozambique, Marline Jumbe-Kumbe, CQUIN/HIVE Regional Strategic Information Advisor, Bernadeta Msongole, HIVE Regional Clinical Advisor

May

Strengthening VTP Implementation in Tanzania

At the May 2025 PMTCT and Pediatrics TWG meeting in Tanzania, HIVE joined national stakeholders in reviewing program performance and addressing persistent challenges to triple elimination. HIVE contributed to key technical discussions, supported planning for HIV-exposed infant data audits and standard operating procedure development, and reaffirmed its commitment to improving VTP service delivery and data systems alongside the Ministry of Health and partners.

Accelerating VTP Progress in Coastal Kenya

During a four-day technical assistance visit to Kilifi and Mombasa counties in May 2025, HIVE partnered with NASCOP to assess and strengthen vertical transmission prevention services. Using a continuous quality improvement (CQI) lens, the team reviewed service integration, data systems, and capacity gaps with sub-national health leaders and facility teams. The visit helped revitalize county-level task forces, identify training and mentorship needs, and generated key recommendations, including updating VTP data tools, strengthening PrEP integration in MCH, and enhancing CQI implementation to drive Kenya’s progress toward triple elimination.

HIVE Regional Clinical Advisor Lulu Ndapatani (center) pictured training a team of health facility workers at the Tononoka dispensary in Mombasa County

June

Charting a National Path to Triple Elimination in Tanzania

In June 2025, HIVE participated in a VTP TWG meeting in Tanzania to support the development of a national scale-up plan for the triple elimination of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. In addition to contributing to the strategy, HIVE supported the creation of a training package and developed tools for supportive supervision and mentoring – key components of a comprehensive, sustainable triple elimination response.

July

First Subnational Vertical Transmission Elimination Capability Maturity Model Launched in South Africa

ICAP supported PATA in adapting the Vertical Transmission Elimination Capability Maturity Model (VTE CMM) for use at the subnational level. The ICAP-HIVE team, together with the PATA-HIVE team, provided ongoing training and technical assistance to build country capacity for using survey tools like Qualtrics for programming and testing. In January 2025, the HIVE technical team conducted a Qualtrics capacity-building session to review the VTE CMM questionnaire and provide hands-on training to country teams. These efforts culminated in July 2025 with the launch of the first subnational VTE CMM exercise in South Africa, which helped country teams assess vertical transmission prevention programs in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng.