CDC Division of Global HIV & TB country profile : Dominican Republic

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Dominican Republic (DR), through the U.S. President\u2019s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has three main goals related to reducing HIV and tuberculosis (TB) mortality and disease transmission: 1) increase the detection, treatment, and retention of people living with HIV (PLHIV); 2) improve the quality of HIV and TB care; and 3) increase access to, and uptake of HIV testing and counseling and other evidence-based interventions among key and priority populations (KP/PP). This is consistent with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 95-95-95 targets which aim to reach epidemic control by 2030 by: 95 percent of all PLHIV knowing their HIV status; 95 percent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection receiving sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART); and 95 percent of all people receiving ART having viral suppression. CDC\u2019s key strategies include supporting the Government of the DR (GoDR) in the transition to Test and Start for ART initiation; implementing community-based service delivery models that contribute to closing the treatment gap for all populations, particularly hard-to-reach priority populations (PP) such as migrants; and addressing system-wide challenges in the national HIV response, such as viral load (VL) monitoring, health information management, and workforce capacity development, with a focus on upskilling laboratory staff.Through PEPFAR\u2019s equity, sustainability, systems strengthening/security, partnership, and science pillars, CDC\u2019s cornerstone approaches in the DR include: pairing local non-governmental organizations with public sector health facilities to foster exchanges that lead to better service quality and performance in both sectors; implementing diverse HIV testing and counseling modalities, including index testing, which involves reaching current and former partners and household members of PLHIV; and developing differentiated models of HIV treatment, notably through mobile clinics as part of community ART distribution efforts. CDC-DR also ensures that priority populations receive comprehensive services in a non-stigmatizing environment through Community Led Monitoring initiatives conducted jointly with UNAIDS and the active participation of civil society and the community.DominicanRepublic.pd