ASOCIACIÓN PASMO BEGINS USAID’S NEW “HIV PREVENTION, CARE AND TREATMENT PROJECT” IN CENTRAL AMERICA

Asociación PASMO (Pan American Social Marketing Organization) will begin implementing USAID’S new “HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment” project on October 1st, 2023, in four Central American countries. The project will support Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Panams in reaching the UNAIDS global HIV targets known as 95-95-95 (that 95% of people living with HIV know their HIV status, 95% of people living with HIV who know their HIV-positive status will access treatment, and 95% of people on treatment will have suppressed viral loads, resulting in epidemic control), giving emphasis on improving access to HIV services among highly vulnerable populations.

Por primera vez en Centroamérica, se implementará un solo proyecto que abarque la cascada completa de VIH, desde la prevención y diagnóstico hasta la supresión viFor the very first time in Central America, one project will address gaps in the entire HIV cascade, from prevention and diagnosis until sustained viral load suppression. PASMO as the prime recipient will coordinate actions with implementing partners such as IntraHealth International Inc., Population Services International, and other local, community and civil society organizations.mplementadores como IntraHealth International Inc. y Population Services International y otras organizaciones locales y comunitarias de sociedad civil.

The cooperative agreement was signed on May 17th between Asociación PASMO, USAID Guatemala and PEPFAR in Central America. PASMO has more than 25 years of experience in HIV prevention, and this project will allow for the accompaniment of users throughout the HIV continuum of care. The project will also carry out activities at various levels, not only with users, but also with their families and communities, and healthcare systems in close coordination with ministries of health and other partners who participate in the HIV response in the region.

PASMO and its partners will work together under this project to reach the following strategic objectives:

1. Incrementar el acceso a y la demanda para servicios de salud y prevención del VIH.
2. Increase health and HIV treatment services with an emphasis on testing, linkage, and supporting continuation and management of treatment services. 
3. Reduce community and facility-level stigma and discrimination. 
4. Conduct ongoing monitoring for decision-making and operational research to support the design and adaptation of activities. 
5. Implement the Optimize Performance and Quality (OPQ) methodology. 

Asociación PASMO aspires for all Central Americans to benefit from comprehensive health, for their wellbeing and their human development, especially in the case of the most vulnerable populations in the region. We hope that with the implementation of this new project, we can contribute to this goal.