Ghana Strengthening the Care Continuum (USAID)

Building on four years of successful work targeting key populations across the country, in 2019 the Care Continuum entered a new phase of work to target the general population and achieve HIV epidemic control in the Western Region of Ghana, which has the highest burden of HIV in the country. The project’s vision is that the Government of Ghana, private partners, and civil society stakeholders are confident, efficient, and equipped with skills to design, manage, implement, monitor, and evaluate the HIV continuum of care services for people living with HIV.

The Care Continuum works with the Government of Ghana to implement innovative strategies including index testing, contact tracing and testing, targeted outreach testing services, and use of case managers to identify, link and support clients to antiretroviral therapy (ART). The project is also championing ART adherence, generating demand to know one’s viral load, and creating reminder systems for people living with HIV.

By the end of 2019 and after launching the second phase of the Care Continuum, the project had worked closely with 23 health facilities in Western Ghana and seven partner civil society organizations to improve their capacity to lead HIV prevention, care and support services. As a result, over 1,500 new cases of HIV were identified and over 80% of them referred to treatment.

The USAID Strengthening the Care Continuum Project is funded by USAID and implemented by JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. in collaboration with the Population Council. The Care Continuum works with the Government of Ghana through the Ghana Health Service.