The IATT Option B/B+ toolkit first launched in 2013 was updated this year with three new sections!

What's new about the toolkit?

The toolkit was revised, including an updated Section 2 (Moving Towards ART for All Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women: Readiness Assessment Checklist and Discussion Guide (PEPFAR/OGAC) and three NEW modules listed below:

• Moving Towards Expanded HIV Services for Children: Readiness Assessment Checklist and Discussion Guide may be used to assess the readiness by health systems to improve care and treatment of children.
• HIV Rapid Test Quality Assurance Checklist facilitates the process of thinking through key HIV RT quality assurance (QA) and programmatic issues needed to improve HIV rapid testing in MNCH settings.
• Tuberculosis / HIV Checklist is intended to assist in the integration of TB/HIV services into PMTCT and MNCH programmes.

You can find the other sections here, including the entire toolkit packet in three languages: English, French and Portuguese.

This policy brief was prepared by the IATT, in consultation with the PAPWG to provide procurement guidance for optimal paediatric ARV dosage forms. This update to the 2013 Optimal Paediatric ARV Formulary list is in response to challenges surrounding supply security, supplier capacity and regulatory approval. In the review for the updated list, Abacavir/Lamivudine was added to the optimal list. Changes were also made to the limited-use list.

The IATT is pleased to release the Option B+ Monitoring & Evaluation Framework for Antiretroviral Treatment for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women Living with HIV and Their Infants (IATT M&E Option B/B+ Framework). IATT partners intend this document as a tool for national programmes expanding PMTCT Option B/B+ treatment approaches.

Using this framework, stakeholders can review, adapt and update current monitoring systems and continuously evaluate programmes, maximizing the potential impact of lifelong treatment programs to improve health outcomes and prevent HIV infections for women, their children and their families.

A recent press release from the U.S. National Institute of Allergens and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) confirms that starting antiretroviral treatment (ART) early (prior to declines in CD4 count) has significant individual health benefits and the potential to improve public health outcomes. These results were documented as part of the Strategic Timing of AntiRetroviral Treatment (START) study, the first large-scale randomized clinical trial to demonstrate that individuals living with HIV benefit from starting ART early, regardless of CD4 count.  You can read more here.

UNICEF Malaria Programme Manager (deadline June 12) UNICEF East and Southern Africa Office is recruiting a P-4 programme manager to manage the GFATM NFM Malaria Grant. The position is based in Nairobi with travel into Somalia.