Preserving 2 decades of healthcare gains for Africa in the coronavirus disease 2019 era

Abstract

As coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) restrictions upend the community bonds that have enabled African communities to thrive in the face of numerous challenges, it is vital that the gains made in community-based healthcare are preserved by adapting our approaches. Instead of reversing the many gains made through locally driven development partnerships with international funding agencies for other viral diseases like HIV, we must use this opportunity to adapt the many lessons learned to address the burden of Covid-19. Programs like the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare are currently leveraging widely available technologies in Africa to prevent patients from experiencing significant interruptions in care as the healthcare system adjusts to the challenges presented by Covid-19. These approaches are designed to preserve social contact while incorporating physical distancing. The gains and successes made through approaches like group-based medical care must not only continue but can help expand upon the extraordinary success of programs like President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

Microfinance, retention in care, and mortality among patients enrolled in HIV care in East Africa

“…Second, health systems in SSA are increasingly strained by having to implement the WHO 2015 recommendations to 'treat all' with ART [36], and scale up treatment in advance of the UNAIDS 2030 target. These health systems have simultaneously had to adapt to be able to sustain care during the novel coronavirus pandemic [37].…”

“…Second, health systems in SSA are increasingly strained by having to implement the WHO 2015 recommendations to ‘treat all’ with ART [36], and scale up treatment in advance of the UNAIDS 2030 target. These health systems have simultaneously had to adapt to be able to sustain care during the novel coronavirus pandemic [37]. In the face of these health system demands, differentiated care delivery models will become even more critical for keeping PWH retained in care with minimal resources.…”