The HIV/TB Agency, Information, and Services (AIS) Activity receives operational guidance from key donors, including PEPFAR for HIV and the Accelerator to End TB for tuberculosis support each year. The Regional Operation Plan (ROP) 25 for HIV and the Burma TB Roadmap outline essential elements that must be integrated into the FY25 work plans of each implementing partner (IP). To meet these requirements, the AIS facilitated three-day workshops for HIV and TB work plan development. Key stakeholders were briefed and engaged in discussions about the essential components.
With the AIS leadership, implementing partners worked together to develop the FY25 work plans, considering the current security landscape. The design prioritized conflict-responsive programs and also focused on innovative strategies such as self-testing, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) expansion, community ART groups (CAG), mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) integration, and high-impact HIV testing strategies (HHIS). Additionally, TB strategies like double X (Chest X-Ray and Gene X Pert), Screen for All (SFA) approaches, CXR-CAD, and support for drug-resistant TB were addressed. These collaborative efforts equipped the partner organizations to effectively integrate the crucial elements for FY25 into their programs. The comprehensive work plans reflect a strong commitment to addressing the dual challenges of HIV and TB within a complex security context.
By implementing these innovative strategies, AIS is not only ensuring compliance with donor expectations but also enhancing health outcomes for vulnerable populations. This proactive approach positions the partners to build a more resilient response to the ongoing challenges of HIV and TB, ultimately contributing to improved public health in Myanmar.