National HIV Strategic Plan 2021-2026, Nepal

Overview

The National Centre for AIDS and STD Control (NCASC), Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal has released a new National HIV Strategic Plan (NHSP) 2021-2026. The strategy outlines a global vision, a global goal and a set of global targets, all of which are fully aligned with the vision, goal and targets of the multi-sectoral UNAIDS strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The NHSP 2021-2026 largely follows the NHSP 2016-2021, which prioritized key interventions to achieve the fast track targets. Significant improvement in the treatment cascade is still needed, and in order to keep the momentum and further accelerate the progress to achieve the goal of ending AIDS by 2030, a forward looking new strategic plan is needed.

Vision: Ending AIDS epidemic in Nepal by 2030

Mission: To provide HIV care continuum ensuring inclusive, equitable and accessible services

Goals

• To prevent new HIV infections,
• To improve HIV related health outcomes of PLHIV
• To reduce HIV related inequalities among PLHIV and KPs.

Targets by 2026

• Identify 95 % of the estimated PLHIV
• Treat 95 % of people diagnosed with HIV
• Attain viral load suppression for 95 % of PLHIV on ART
• Reduce 90% of new HIV infections (base line as 2010)
• Eliminate vertical transmission of HIV
• Achieve case rate of congenital syphilis of ≤50 per 100 000 live births.

Priorities

• Accelerating HIV prevention services among key populations
• Expanding innovative and effective testing approaches with universal access to comprehensive treatment,
  care, support, VL testing and suppression services
• Elimination of vertical transmission and syphilis
• Scaling up of HIV-sensitive social protection services to key and vulnerable populations
• Addressing human rights and gender in HIV response
• Strengthening effective, inclusive and accountable HIV governance.

Strategic priorities

The NHSP has prioritized the following key critical areas for fast-track actions:

• Scaling up HIV prevention interventions in key and vulnerable populations
• Expanding quality assured HIV testing with access to comprehensive HIV treatment, care and support services, including viral load testing and adherence to and retention to treatment.
• Elimination of mother-to-child transmission and congenital syphilis
• Strengthening strategic information system for evidence-informed response against HIV epidemic
• Addressing the critical enablers and development synergies in HIV programming
• Strengthening RSSH including CSS
• Addressing cross-cutting issues of stigma and discrimination, gender and human rights related barriers to access services
• Strengthening local health systems for pandemic preparedness and response to ensure HIV services are not disrupted during the health emergencies such as COVID-19 or other disasters.
• Enabling policy environment at all levels.

Recommended readings

• National Centre for AIDS and STD Control (NCASC)
• Interim Guidance for Continuing HIV Program Service Delivery During COVID-19 Pandemic
• HIV Standard Service Package (SSP) For Key Populations
• Standard Treatment Protocol (STP) For Basic Health Services (BHS) Package 2078
• HIV Epidemic Update of Nepal (Fact sheet 2020)
• Sri Lanka has eliminated mother to child transmission of HIV and syphilis
• Key facts on HIV: Country Snapshot 2019: Nepal
• Maldives eliminates mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Syphilis
• Malaysia eliminates mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis
• International Condom Day 2022: ‘Condoms are always in fashion’
• Nepal Health Facility Survey 2021 Preliminary Data Tables
• Progress of the Health and Population Sector, 2020/21 (NJAR Report)
• Tuberculosis Free Nepal Declaration Initiative Implementation Guideline