Implementation Start-up of Mauritius HIV Response Transition Plan and development of a community strategy
Republic of MauritiusGOVERNANCE AND HEALTH POLICIESOur areas of expertiseSTRENGTHENING SYSTEMS AND HEALTH SERVICESFighting HIV / AIDSInfectious and emerging diseases
Contexte :
The Republic of Mauritius is an upper middle-income country with a concentrated HIV epidemic with high prevalence among key populations. There has been a 32% decline in the estimated number of new HIV infections, 34% decline in the HIV incidence in Mauritius from 2010 to 2021, as well as a decrease by 52% of the number of deaths related to HIV infections among children with a steady reduction in the MTCT. However, the last few years have witnessed a rise in new infections among adolescents and young adults (15-24 years), mostly due to unprotected heterosexual sex, limited access to comprehensive sex education and needle sharing among drug users.
In order to reach the 95-95-95 target on the HIV cascade (UNAIDS), Mauritius has benefited from Global Fund (GF) support since 2010 and has received a final grant of USD 2,368,481 to combat HIV and strengthen resilient sustainable systems for health (RSSH). By the end of 2026, the country is undergoing a transition process to gradually move away from Global Fund support, with tailored funding allocated between 2024 and 2026 to facilitate this transition. To do so, an HIV Response Transition Plan (HRTP) was developed in 2023, as well as a Civil Society Sustainability, Transition, and Engagement Plan (CSSTEP). The National Social Inclusion Foundation (NSIF), operating under the Ministry of Social Security, Social Integration, and Economic Empowerment, will be responsible for allocating public funds to NGOs following the withdrawal of the Global Fund. Its primary mission is to improve social outcomes for vulnerable populations while ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. While the government is strongly committed to fund the program, there are still issues related to coordination and communication between stakeholders and services delivery. Threats regarding the availability of funds for community activities, essential to reach key populations, are emphasized with the exit of GF.
To guarantee the efficiency of the GF transition, the National AIDS Secretariat (NAS) requires support for creating the operational work plan for the HIV HRTP to prioritize the necessary actions, as well as developing the community strategy to strengthen coordination between community systems and government health systems. The present technical assistance will help ensuring a successful transition, preserving the gains made in the fight against HIV, and laying the foundation for a sustainable and autonomous national response in the long term.
General objective :
To create an operational work plan for the HIV Response Transition Plan (HRTP) and develop the community strategy.
Specific objectives :
- To strengthen coordination between the national program and civil society.
- To support the collaboration and co-construction of a detailed, budgeted operational work plan with time-bound milestones for the HIV Response Transition Plan (HRTP), including national and civil society's activities.
- To assess funding gaps and strengthen funding mechanisms for Civil Society Organizations involved in HIV and AIDS initiatives.
- To map civil society interventions.
- To develop the National Program for NSIF.
Expected outcomes :
- A detailed work plan and financial requirements for transition priorities with time-bound milestones is available. This work plan will define priority areas for each implementing stakeholder and develop a collective operational plan with a road map and measurable milestones and key indicators until 2026/2028.
- A National HIV and AIDS Program is available for NSIF to ensure that the activities are aligned with the NAP 2023 – 2027.
- Key actors' opinions (including civil society) have been taken into account. Each stakeholder is well-aware of its role.
