Key Results
Joint Programme Results
Joint Team Members
Investments
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Key Results
  • Reached over 110 000 people with HIV testing services during World AIDS Day commemoration events.
  • Supported launch of the Education Plus initiative, which is expected to expand HIV prevention services and empower adolescent girls and young women through completion of secondary school; comprehensive sexuality education; and economic security and empowerment through school-to-work transitions.
  • Supported the development of operational guidelines for PrEP and self-testing, and standard operating procedures for health care providers and community volunteers; and the training of 100 health care workers, men who have sex with men and female sex workers.
  • Supported the development of the National AIDS Policy which will guide national stakeholders towards achieving: zero new HIV infection; zero new HIV/AIDS related deaths; and zero new reports of stigma and discrimination related to HIV and AIDS by 2030.
  • Supported the review and extension of the National HIV Strategic Plan 2021-2026 and guided prioritization of US$ 21 million mobilized from the Global Fund for the 2024-2026 period.
Joint Programme Results

In Gambia, the newly developed National HIV/AIDS Policy 2022-2027 intends to accelerate progress towards the 95-95-95 prevention and treatment targets and the removal of societal and legal barriers preventing people from accessing HIV and social services. In 2022, the Joint Team made significant contributions to strengthening HIV prevention and testing services with the development of new operational guidelines and differentiated service delivery models for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and HIV testing services as well as procurement of 724 000 pieces of male and female condoms and 100 000 HIV testing kits (UNFPA, UNAIDS Secretariat). The new HIV testing guidelines now integrate innovative approaches, including index testing, HIV-self testing and regency testing. During the World AIDS Day commemoration, 110 000 people across the country accessed HIV testing and counselling services through various community outreach initiatives (UNAIDS Secretariat).

The First Lady of Gambia officially launched the Education Plus initiative to expand HIV prevention services and empower adolescent girls and young women using secondary education as an entry point (UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women, UNESCO, UNAIDS Secretariat). The initiative aims to provide a holistic support package for adolescent girls and young women, including comprehensive sexuality education and information on sexual and reproductive health’s and rights including HIV prevention, prevention of sexual and gender-based violence, and economic security and empowerment through school-to-work transitions.

AIDS mortality

Source: Global AIDS Monitoring

Progress towards 95-95-95 targets

Source: Global AIDS Monitoring

Almost 5000 adolescents in 14 provinces received information on HIV prevention (UNICEF), and a total of 2500 people, predominantly young people improved their knowledge of the harmful effects of drug use and its correlation with HIV infection through an annual edutainment show (UNODC, UNAIDS Secretariat). Meanwhile, a series of high-level dialogues, community outreach and radio programmes helped increase knowledge around HIV infection and treatment, drug use and mental health among government officials, migrants, prisoners, sex workers, people who use drugs and people with disabilities, and supported advocacy efforts towards the revision of the national drug law (UNODC).

In Central River and Upper River regions, 48 healthcare workers from maternal and health facilities received training on the delivery of comprehensive HIV services, including counselling, antiretroviral treatment and infant feeding to improve service access and accelerate progress towards elimination of vertical transmission of HIV (UNICEF). In addition, 2000 vulnerable pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV received specialized nutritious food for an average duration of three months enhancing their nutrition status through a collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the national nutrition agency. In four regions, 45 people (36 females) were empowered to inform people living with HIV in their communities on various issues, including nutrition, breastfeeding of infants born to mothers living with HIV and utilization of family planning services through a social and behavioural change communication training organized in partnership with the National AIDS Control Programme (WFP).

Joint Team Members

Investments

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