EXPERIENCES USING INNOVATIVE APPROACHES FOR ART DELIVERY IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA.
Nigeria’s first COVID 19 case was identified late February 2020 in Lagos State and the number increased to 3,093 by May 22, 2020. Lockdown imposed resulted in business closures and movement restrictions. This negatively impacted on People Living with HIV as they were faced with multiple resultant challenges including limited access to care and an immunosuppressed state which may result in a higher susceptibility to the COVID-19 virus. Health facilities service disruption, fear of contracting the virus, harassment of patients/health providers by duty security operatives during lockdown, scarce transportation and funds paucity became critical challenges that affected program implementation.
To ensure continuous service delivery despite restrictions, CIHP implemented novel drug-pickup modalities inclusive of
- Facilitating partnerships with private logistics company and civil society organization (Positive Action for Treatment Access (PATA), for direct home deliveries as alternate channels for ART delivery in the communities.
- Engagement of HIV consortium groups for ARV refills.
- Evening Community HIV Testing Services for SURGE activities
- Securing Essential Duty Pass from the Health Ministry/AIDS Agency for ease of movement during the lockdown.
Feedback received shows that 95% of patients were satisfied with the drug delivery model of using a Private Logistics Company. For all models, 100% confidentiality was maintained.
Lessons learnt from programming amidst COVID-19 in Fiscal Year (FY) 20 helped CIHP implement evidence-based strategies and interventions for FY21, which was to focus on supporting clients by facilitating continuous ART through community models and partnerships.