Country- and Community-Led Scale-Up of Accessible, Integrated, and Family-Centered EVT Plus Services for a Healthy Start (SAFEStart+)

While childhood survival rates have significantly improved in the past decade, every year, approximately five million children die before their fifth birthday—almost half are newborns in their first month of life. Vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and Chagas disease is a leading cause of preventable stillbirth and child mortality. Timely diagnosis and treatment of these infections are critical to protect the health and well-being of women, infants, and young children.

Through partnership and funding from Unitaid, PATH and the project’s co-leads, the International Community of Women living with HIV Eastern Africa and the World Hepatitis Alliance, are leading a four-year project designed for maximum reach and impact: SAFEStart+. This project is accelerating demand and adoption of evidence-based approaches and integrated delivery strategies to eliminate vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and Chagas disease.

SAFEStart+ is supporting countries and communities to design and scale integrated, people-centered services that meet local needs. This includes expanding access to new diagnostics that can detect multiple infections with a single test and reinforcing antenatal care services to deliver preventive treatment when it matters most.