Expansion of Index Case Strategy to increase HIV+ case finding and improve continuum of care

The objective of this program is to increase HIV case finding and linkage to care through enhanced counselling sessions & provide support to recently-diagnosed patients with HIV to disclose their HIV status to partners and children. 

The Index Patient Strategy is a combination of two approaches, the Assisted Partner Services program piloted at Machava II Health Center and Disclosure project piloted at Jose Macamo Health Center (JMHC). In partnership with CCS, I-TECH staff provides technical assistance in 3 sites (Jose Macamo Health Center, Polana Canico Health Center and Bagamoio Health Center) all in Maputo City to improve linkage to HIV care, treatment initiation and retention in care. The Index Patient Strategy provides enhanced counselling and support to newly-diagnosed HIV+ patients (index cases) to disclose to or notify their partners and family members, using health workers. 

Moreover, I-TECH is supporting the MoH to scale up nationally this activity through technically assisting provincial health departments (DPS) and PEPFAR Implementing Partners to conduct Index Case related activities in 26 sites. Support includes training for site level teams, after training site level support to trouble shoot start up challenges, monitoring and evaluation and ongoing mentoring for site level teams.