Exploring current practices in pediatric ARV rollout and integration with early childhood programs in South Africa: A rapid situation analysis

This Horizons program report describes the status of pediatric HIV treatment in selected sites in South Africa, identifies gaps in service delivery, and proposes recommendations for strengthening services and expanding children’s access to treatment. The study provides much needed information on critical issues of pediatric HIV care, especially regarding health service and contextual issues surrounding the expansion of access to treatment for HIV-infected children, and key factors that facilitate sustainability of treatment by young children. The aims of the study were to identify successful program strategies in pediatric HIV treatment in South Africa and to determine priority knowledge gaps to be addressed by operations research. The demonstrated model of collaboration between government and NGOs, though not an easy relationship to manage, can be very successful at scaling up and ensuring sustainability.