MaxART Phase 1: Scale up in HIV testing and treatment
The first phase (2011-2014) of the MaxART programme focused on addressing barriers to HIV testing, treatment and retention in care. After three years of implementation, Swaziland is on track. The country experienced the highest annual HIV testing rate ever. Ninety percent of the people currently eligible for treatment, are actively on ART, while retention has improved.
Phase 1 in 6 minutes
Key activities during phase 1
In the first phase of MaxART we
implemented innovative, evidence-informed, and rights-based interventions.
Moreover, community and health systems were integrated, whereby we focused on the following key areas:
Community mobilisation
The communities of Swaziland are mobilised to encourage people to have
an HIV test and access care and treatment. Community-based
organisations, traditional leaders, and networks of people living with
HIV adequately interact with and respond to the needs of the affected
communities of Swaziland. Read more
Reaching out to youth and men
The MaxART project reaches out to youth and men, to stimulate the uptake
of HIV testing, care, and treatment. MaxART aims to reach all people of
Swaziland, and, therefore, implements activities that specifically
focus on these hard to reach groups. Read more
Bringing services closer to people
To ensure that people living with HIV live longer and healthier lives, MaxART as part of the Swaziland National AIDS Programme (SNAP) together with
other implementing partners brings HIV testing and treatment services closer to
the people of Swaziland: such as mobile CD4 count devices. Read more
Realising human rights
The
MaxART project is championing human rights in Swaziland, by building rights
literacy amongst people living with HIV, encouraging respect of individual
rights and promoting referrals and social support to address human rights
violations. Read more
Responding to realities and needs on the ground
The
MaxART project responds to the realities and needs of people living with HIV, including
stigma, discrimination, barriers to access health services, and socio-economic
circumstances. The programme pays specific attention to two hard to reach
groups: men and youth. Read more