With funding from USAID, this critical program builds on nearly two decades of partnership in South Sudan as we work with the government to increase the 
effectiveness and efficiency of the country’s efforts to advance HIV epidemic control. This includes working directly with the Ministry of Health to strengthen the skills of health workers through training, coaching, and mentoring, as well as strengthening local capacity and resilience to provide comprehensive HIV/AIDS services through the continuum of HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and viral suppression services.

The program focuses on the general public, as well as on key populations, including nearly 13,000 female sex workers, to raise awareness of HIV; promote pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and other prevention methods; and identify people who are HIV positive, enroll them in antiretroviral therapy (ART), and support adherence to maximize HIV viral suppression. The focus on key populations not only reduces AIDS-related deaths but also further reduces HIV transmission of the virus. Through a layered approach with local organizations and PEPFAR implementing partners, the South Sudanese government, and local communities, the Advancing HIV & AIDS Epidemic Control (AHEC) Activity helps train health workers and community outreach volunteers to adapt evidence-based HIV prevention, care, and treatment interventions for people living with HIV.

AHEC collaborates with the USAID Accelerating Support to Advanced Local Partners II project, implemented by IntraHealth, to strengthen the organizational and technical capacity of local entities to lead future USAID and PEPFAR programs and sustain the country’s HIV/AIDS response.