EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2011, the African Union Commission (AUC) facilitated the process of developing an “Africa Plan Towards Elimination of New HIV Infections among Children by 2015 and Keeping their Mothers Alive” (African Plan). This was an accountability framework for tracking progress towards achieving the set goals of the AU Policy Instruments on Health. The objective of the Africa Plan was to domesticate the Global Plan and create African ownership for the global elimination of the mother-to-child transmission initiative.
After the expiry of the African Plan, the AUC undertook a review process taking cognizance of the emerging global and continental practices to understand the progress achieved and identify the gaps in reaching the set goals. This document is a product of desk review (continental and global reports, policy frameworks and planning instruments) and consultative processes involving key stakeholders (government, civil society and development partners) from 15 selected Member States of the five African Union (AU) regions. The countries comprising 27% of the 55 African Union Member States were selected based on a) covering the AU five regions (each region with three countries), b) representation of the six AU languages (all the six AU languages were represented), c) representation of members of the Global Alliance to end AIDS in children by 2030 (Angola and Kenya represent this group) and d) mix of HIV burden, prevalence, MTCT rate and incidence of HIV among AGYW.
Africa has made significant progress in the HIV response due to increased funding, strong political commitment and scientific breakthroughs. Over the years, the continent has created a conducive policy environment for the coordination and implementation of the elimination of vertical transmission services using innovative evidence-based strategies aligned to global, continental, and national recommendations and guidelines. These effective interventions have succeeded in reducing vertical transmission in the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) regions. Despite these positive indications in ESA, the Western and Central Africa (WCA) regions lag behind ESA in several indicators. Most of these infections are associated with gaps in HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment services for pregnant and breastfeeding women (PBFW).
Drawing on lessons learned in the past decade and existing opportunities, and expanding the focus of the Common Africa Position (CAP) on the 2021 High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS, the Cairo Declaration on Hepatitis in Africa, and the Dar-es-Salaam Declaration to end AIDS in children to include syphilis and HBV, in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) triple elimination initiative and recommendations of the review of first Africa Plan, the AUC has developed the “Africa Plan Towards The Elimination Of Vertical Transmission Of New HIV, Syphilis And Hepatitis B Virus Infections Among Children By 2030 And Keeping Their Mothers Alive Plan by 2030 and Keeping their Mothers Alive (AEVT) Plan. The revised plan provides a strategic guiding framework for AU Member States to coordinate the implementation of an integrated approach towards achieving triple elimination of vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Africa. It addresses key barriers to the reduction of the continent’s burden of HIV, syphilis and HBV infections among children and their mothers. The AUC and its organs will strengthen, coordinate and advocate for the provision of resources for the elimination of vertical transmission of HIV, Syphilis and HBV infections.
The adopted pillars for the AEVT Plan are a) early testing among children exposed to HIV, syphilis and HBV; b) closing the treatment gap among PBFW and children exposed to HIV, syphilis and HBV; c) prevention of new HIV, syphilis and HBV infections among PBFW; and d) breaking down barriers to access to integrated services. Based on these pillars, the AEVT plan guides galvanizing political advocacy for the last mile toward the elimination of vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis and HBV in Africa by 2030. This AEVT provides the anchor to achieve these goals a) prioritize strong political commitment, leadership, good governance and resources; b) promote integrated quality care for women, children and their families; c) strengthen community engagement, human rights and gender equality; and facilitate coordinated monitoring and evaluation of robust pediatric response to HIV, syphilis and HBV.
