Since 2019, I-TECH has provided increased technical assistance for 39 state healthcare facilities in eleven high HIV burden regions of Ukraine to advance assisted partner notification/services and index testing as a sustainable strategy for HIV case finding.
I-TECH developed exhaustive standard operating procedures for index testing; thoroughly trained healthcare teams on the index testing algorithm; as well as provided consistent and regular methodological support as part of its index testing program. There were 1,308 people living with HIV who were identified as a result of the two-year index testing program. I-TECH’s work demonstrated that comprehensive assisted partner notification services and index testing are highly effective in identifying PLHIV, as well as tracing previously diagnosed partners and supporting their linkage to care.