Niger

Key Results in 2022-2023

The quality of HIV services improved following the implementation of a differentiated service delivery strategy, a new HIV screening algorithm, the capacity building of health providers and stronger programme monitoring mechanisms.
More than one million pregnant women accessed voluntary HIV counselling and testing services and linkages to treatment.
Community members and representatives of government and legislative institutes are empowered to address human rights, stigma and discrimination among vulnerable and key populations.
Over 47 000 people in humanitarian settings increased their knowledge on HIV prevention and services.

Joint Programme Results

In 2022-2023, Niger continued to scale up HIV services for key and vulnerable populations, including pregnant women living with HIV, with significant support from the Joint Programme. HIV testing was strengthened through the implementation of a new differentiated HIV testing, care and treatment strategy, and the subsequent orientation of 60 healthcare workers from 30 HIV service centres on its application. The development of an index screening form; a rapid test screening register; and a training manual on provider-initiated screening further improve the quality of these services. In the Niamey region, 83 laboratory technicians in three regions had orientation on the new three-test HIV screening algorithm improving the quality of services. In addition, 134 healthcare workers from 67 tuberculosis screening and treatment centres received training and supervision to improve quality of the services provided. A total of 140 people living with HIV and tuberculosis co-infection were made aware of their status, of whom 127 people accessed treatment (WHO).

As part of the task-shifting initiative, 94 healthcare workers from 47 integrated health centres were trained as prescribers of antiretroviral treatment to increase access to treatment services in Tahoua, Tillbéri and Zinder cities. Early warning indicators were also collected in all regions to minimize HIV drug resistance and improve the quality of treatment and viral load testing services across the country (WHO). Furthermore, 176 vulnerable people living with HIV from Tahoua and Zinder cities received financial support for food and transportation expenses, thus improving their adherence to treatment in the initial six months of therapy (WFP).

In 2023, over one million pregnant women accessed voluntary HIV counselling and testing, of whom 2181 women tested positive and were enrolled on treatment, thanks to the strategic support from the Joint Programme (UNICEF, WHO, UNAIDS Secretariat). Pregnant women attending antenatal care in 201 health districts were sensitized on HIV services and monitored by 309 trained community mediators (UNICEF, UNAIDS Secretariat). Additionally, 40 healthcare providers in Diffa, Maradi, Niamey, Tahoua and Tillabéri cities were trained on the delivery of integrated HIV and reproductive health services, including prevention of vertical transmission and paediatric HIV (UNHCR). In the Zinder region, 375 women leaders also increased their capacity to scale up services for prevention of vertical transmission of HIV in their communities (UNAIDS Secretariat). A total of 427 HIV-exposed infants had polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, while 522 HIV-exposed children received post-exposure prophylaxis (UNICEF, UNAIDS Secretariat).

As a result of technical support from the Joint Programme, 50 representatives from the defence and security forces, legal and judicial institutions and community organizations are better equipped to manage cases of human rights violations towards people living with HIV and key populations. Additionally, 625 people living with HIV and people from key populations were sensitized on human rights, stigma and discrimination, including all forms of HIV- and gender-related inequalities (UNAIDS Secretariat). Led in collaboration with the National HIV Programme, an assessment highlighted that existing social protection programmes have a low sensitivity to HIV, and a roadmap was developed to implement the resulting recommendations, including the creation of a multisectoral technical committee on the matter (WFP).

In humanitarian settings, 8130 people accessed HIV testing services and over 4000 condoms were distributed to reduce the risk of new HIV infections among refugees and host communities. More than 47 700 people increased their knowledge of HIV prevention and services through community awareness sessions, and 2414 adolescents and women accessed antenatal care services in humanitarian settings. Finally, 448 peer educators, community mediators and trainers were empowered to deliver HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents and young people, particularly from refugee and internally displaced populations (UNHCR). 