Patricia Fassinou Ekouévi Routine use of point-of-care early infant diagnosis testing in Côte d’Ivoire: Early lessons learnt Patricia Fassinou Ekouévi IAS Satellite Session, 25 July 2017

Overview HIV/AIDS in Côte d’Ivoire Introducing point-of-care early infant diagnosis (POC EID) in Côte d’Ivoire Operational progress Results to date Lessons learnt Conclusions

HIV/AIDS in Côte d’Ivoire The epidemic (2015, UNAIDS estimates) Adult HIV Prevalence: 3.2% Number of people living with HIV: 460,000 of which 29,000 children (0 to 14 years) Number of people living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment (ART): 140,710 (CDI National Strategic Plan for HIV 2016-2020) Relevant national HIV guidelines Free access to ARVs to all since 2005 EID for all exposed HIV children (2010) Systematic ART for pregnant women and children < 10 years (2015) Test and treat (February 2017)

Conventional EID testing in Côte d’Ivoire 50% of exposed infants receive virological test by age 2 months (UNAIDS 2017). Virological EID testing using dried blood spots (DBS) is performed in 7 conventional laboratories, 4 located in the capital city of Abidjan. Multiple, long and costly blood sample transport and results return systems are implemented and funded by technical partners. Virological lab: Sample arrival Test result announced to caregiver Health facility: Test result available ART initiation Health facility: blood sample collection EGPAF Project Djidja PY4 Oct 14 - Sept15 14 days 47 days 12 days 7 days  80 days EGPAF Project Djidja PY5 Oct 15 – Sept 16  104 days 6 days 87 days 10 days 1 day

Coordinated EID Network Development for Sustainable Impact Timeline: Point-of-care EID testing in Côte d’Ivoire The Ministry of Health (MoH) is fully involved from the proposal design phase and committed to the project Jan 2016 – Feb. 2017 March – Sept 2017 Oct 2017 – Sept 2018 Oct 2018 – June 2019 Facility preparation Phase Pilot Phase Progressive Site Enrollment Phase Routine Testing and Monitoring Transition Phase Coordinated EID Network Development for Sustainable Impact New sites enrollment and trainings Refine systems and tools (include QA and post-market surveillance) based on lessons learned Adapted support and monitoring Stakeholder engagement Implementation planning Tools and systems development Needs and baseline assessments Procurement ordering and shipping Site enrollment and trainings Intensive support and monitoring Improve internal systems Document lessons Monitoring and evaluation Impact assessment Market dynamics Engage and prepare for transitioning Continuous Monitoring, Evaluation, and Improvement using Standardized Frameworks and Tools

Phased enrollment of project sites Implementation plan: 135 health facilities Across 10 health districts (out of 82) Covering six health regions (out of 20) More than 7,000 EID tests to be performed Using 18 POC instruments Pilot phase (first six months): First enrollment in March 2017 13 facilities across three districts, all within one region Project phase Phase duration # stand-alone testing sites # hub testing sites # referring spoke sites Total # of sites Pilot Q1 - Q3 2017 5 8 13 Expansion I Q4/17- Q1/18 2 6 23 31 Expansion II Q2- Q3 2018 86 91 TOTAL 16 117 135

Required pre-conditions for implementation (I) Critical steps needed before the start of routine testing, such as: Selection with the national AIDS control program (NACP) of project sites within health districts with high unmeet prevention of mother-to- child transmission (PMTCT) needs Assessment of infrastructure and human resource capacity for selected sites Approval of the monitoring and evaluation protocol by the national ethics committee Identification, in collaboration with the National Laboratory of Public Health, of the POC EID platforms to be used Design of the site enrollment plan Quantification of consumables required as per the enrollment plan Issue of a letter authorizing importation of POC EID diagnostic platforms by the national regulatory authority Placement of procurement orders

Required pre-conditions for implementation (II) Other critical steps: Site infrastructure upgrades, where necessary Design of relevant tools and systems to meet specific POC EID needs for training and implementation, such as: POC EID Testing Form (also used for data collection) Sample collection, handling, labelling, packaging and transportation Sample processing, algorithm, recording and results reporting Internal quality control (IQC) failure monitoring Site monitoring visits Waste disposal Supply chain management Trainings for instrument users and other set up activities Customs clearance of consumables Coordination with staff at health facility for EID platform installation date

Operational progress Launch event chaired by the First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire, UNAIDS ambassador. Minor upgrades of facilities needed (e.g. secure power plug, cabinets for the platform). Health care workers committed to offer POC EID. POC EID commodities stored at the national warehouse and distributed through the supply chain system. Testing algorithm and programmatic tools developed for POC EID and validated by the NACP. Sample transport and results return system established for spoke sites. All POC EID platforms installed are fully functional and performing 20 tests/ week. Regular site monitoring and mentoring visits.

Site monitoring and mentoring Frequent monitoring of testing activities and mentoring to reinforce healthcare worker capacity, especially the trained operators who are non-laboratory personnel (mostly nurses) During the early days of project implementation, the POC EID testing form was not filled in completely (i.e. missing information) and there were a high number of operator-related IQC failures (i.e. errors with no test result) Supportive mentorship visits helped to ensure that the EID form was correctly filled in, and identified the cause of IQC failures (e.g. problem when loading the cartridge), allowing for immediate correction of problems.

Preliminary results: March – June 2017 (I)

Preliminary results: March – June 2017 (II)

POC EID results: Testing versus spoke sites

Lessons Learnt Endorsement by the MoH is crucial. Site selection process must be coordinated with MoH. Ownership of activities by health facility staff is key for introducing a new technology, for modifying processes, for task shifting etc. Sound planning and pre-conditions are essential for smooth implementation of new technologies. POC EID assays are easy to use, can be performed by non-laboratory staff given proper training and mentorship. Frequent site monitoring required, with prompt investigation and corrective actions performed if necessary. People living with HIV and HIV-positive women are receptive and enthusiastic about this new strategy that improves turnaround time of EID services. Blood sample collected at a spoke site. Test results automatically print on a portable printer.

Conclusions POC EID preliminary results are encouraging and can serve as a model for strengthening access to prevention, care and treatment services for HIV/AIDS by continuously analyzing lessons learned from the project. Step-wise site enrollment scheme is advised to allow all pre- conditions to be put in placed. Bringing EID services closer to people is possible, and can be seen as a necessity to improve both health care and health outcomes. EGPAF is engaged in eliminating HIV/AIDS because the science, the medicine, and the human resources are available; we just need to bring them together.

Thank you! Merci!