Pediatric and Maternal HIV/AIDS Program (2009)

Haiti has the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Western Hemisphere and one of the highest rates globally outside of sub-Saharan Africa. Children are disproportionately affected, largely due to the limited medical infrastructure that restricts early diagnosis and access to lifesaving treatment. Because HIV-infected infants face a high risk of mortality before age two, early testing and diagnosis are essential to ensuring proper care.

Through the Integral Life Foundation (ILF)—which later became One5 and is now Solventas Foundation—and in collaboration with several non-governmental partners, this initiative supported Early-Infant Diagnosis (EID) programs across Haiti. ILF provided technical assistance and HIV DNA PCR (polymerase-chain reaction) testing at strategically selected sites nationwide. The team also implemented a robust tracking system for HIV-positive infants to support the expansion and integration of pediatric antiretroviral therapy programs.

This work represented a critical step toward building the medical infrastructure required to improve health outcomes for infants exposed to HIV in Haiti. As of May 2009, the program achieved the following:

• Tested more than 450 perinatally exposed infants through national HIV DNA PCR screening.

• Collaborated with Haiti’s National HIV/AIDS Program to transition partner sites into the national framework for long-term sustainability.

• Worked with clinical teams to ensure timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy for all eligible infants, reducing morbidity and mortality associated with HIV/AIDS.

• Published program findings at the world’s largest HIV/AIDS scientific convening—the 2009 IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment, and Prevention.

• Piloted an innovative internet-based tracking tool to monitor HIV-positive mothers and infants, helping ensure continuity and quality of care.