Feature Story
UNAIDS supports countries to adopt differentiated service delivery approaches to HIV care
05 June 2025
05 June 2025 05 June 2025UNAIDS has supported eight countries including Mali, Angola, Madagascar, South Sudan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their HIV care service delivery systems.
If countries are to succeed in reaching the 95-95-95 HIV targets, their health systems must adopt rights-based, gender-sensitive, and people-centered models to reach the underserved populations and improve service quality.
One such model is the differentiated service delivery (DSD) approach, which is designed to provide HIV services that are adapted to reflect the preferences and needs of people living with and vulnerable to HIV, while reducing unnecessary burdens on the health system.
UNAIDS mobilized Technical Assistance Demand Generation (TADG) funding support from USAID, to bring together national program stakeholders and community groups for a data-driven consensus building process. In each country, participants used a structured health system assessment and strengthening tool, developed by the HIV Coverage, Quality, and Impact Network (CQUIN), of the Columbia University, to make informed decisions on enhancing quality HIV testing, treatment, and care services.
According to participating country teams, the exercise facilitated a breakdown of national program landscapes into clear, actionable focus areas, and improved their understanding of differentiated delivery of HIV care services. Program teams were able to prioritize areas for focus and to streamline decision-making, which will ultimately lead to practical and sustainable enhancement of HIV service provision.
“Considering South Sudan is lagging behind in treatment coverage, this was a very timely technical support exercise, that will strengthen the HIV care response to achieve 95-95-95 targets through collective action, advocacy and investment” said Dr Agai Akec, Director, HIV Programme, Ministry of Health, South Sudan.
The participating countries recognised the value of adopting differentiated service delivery approach to HIV testing, HIV treatment and the management of advanced HIV disease; establishing linkages with related services such as maternal and child health, Tuberculosis and non-communicable disease care, and promoting collaboration between health facilities and the community.
UNAIDS role has been instrumental in using US catalytic resources to mobilize partners including WHO, The Global Fund, and technical support agencies to support national government and community groups to promote a critical area of work for HIV testing and treatment.
"The TADG catalytic funding helped the country beneficiaries to demystify Differentiated Service Delivery and to identify concrete areas for improvement within national programs. I would encourage countries to undertake more of these exercises to make services available and accessible by all, particularly those who have been left behind." said Fodé SIMAGA, UNAIDS Director, Science Systems and Service for All.
For further details and guidance on using the tool, visit:
