COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) Project
Project Description
The COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) has been awarded US$4.7 billion to 125 applicants since April 2020, to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, and initiate urgent improvements in formal and community health systems.
APLHIV played a critical role in organizing the consultative process to ensure the voices of the communities are heard. Due to ongoing travel and meeting restrictions and lockdowns, APLHIB ensured consultative process via virtually means. Representative from HIV community, at risk of HIV, associated key populations and civil society were engaged from across Pakistan. APLHIV, based on the consultative process finalized a report highlighting the priorities interventions of the communities. APLHIV had to overcome many obstacles to ensure that prioritized interventions are part of the Funding Request for C19RM. APLHIV had to use CCM forum very effectively to ensure this.
The Funding Request was accepted at the Global Fund and finally the project was awarded. APLHIV was selected as one of the SSRs under the Common Management Unit to implement the suggested interventions at the grass roots level. The interventions being implemented are mainly “Community Led approaches”. More details are:
Strengthening HIV Care Through Community-Led Interventions: Under the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM), APLHIV is implementing two key interventions to support Pakistan’s HIV response:
(1) Tracking, engaging, and re-linking People Living with HIV (PLHIV) who are lost to follow-up (LTFU)
(2) Providing mental health and psychosocial support to PLHIV and key populations.
Both interventions are community-led, inclusive and designed to address gaps in retention, adherence, and emotional wellbeing among PLHIV across the country.
Loss to Follow Up Tracking via Community Led Interventions
Under the C19RM grant, the APLHIV has led a groundbreaking, community-driven initiative to track, engage, and re-link People Living with HIV (PLHIV) who have been lost to follow-up (LTFU) with life-saving HIV care and treatment across Pakistan. LTFU is defined as individuals who have not visited ART centers or picked up medication for six months or more, posing serious risks to both their health and broader epidemic control efforts.
APLHIV has uniquely mobilized trained community members, including PLHIV themselves, as peer trackers to lead this effort at the grassroots level. These individuals are equipped with personal insight and lived experience and have become the bridge between healthcare systems and marginalized populations who may otherwise remain unreached. The initiative prioritizes dignity, trust, and cultural sensitivity, with gender balance embedded at every level; notably, 50% of peer trackers are women, enabling stronger engagement with female clients and key populations.
Since inception, the project has successfully tracked and managed over 3,500 LTFU cases, documenting outcomes including re-linkage to ART services, deaths, and silent transfers. This intervention has significantly improved treatment retention while showcasing the power of community-led models to drive health equity and sustainability in HIV care.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services
Recognizing the often-unseen mental health burden carried by PLHIV and key populations, APLHIV has also established a dedicated psychosocial support service as part of its C19RM programming. Mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and trauma are among the leading contributors to treatment dropout and poor adherence among PLHIV. Addressing these issues is essential for a holistic, person-centered HIV response.
To meet this need, APLHIV has integrated professional psychosocial counseling into its 24/7 national helpline. A qualified mental health professional provides counselling, emotional support, therapeutic guidance, and cognitive behavioral techniques (CBT) to help callers manage distress and rebuild resilience. In severe cases, referrals are made to specialized mental health providers.
Since the service began in 2022, over 2,400 PLHIV have been counselled, with feedback indicating improved mental wellbeing and stronger re-engagement with HIV care. This innovative addition demonstrates APLHIV’s commitment to treating the whole person—not just the diagnosis—while reinforcing the critical role of mental health in achieving HIV treatment goals.
Project Description
The COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) has been awarded US$4.7 billion to 125 applicants since April 2020, to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, and initiate urgent improvements in formal and community health systems.
APLHIV played a critical role in organizing the consultative process to ensure the voices of the communities are heard. Due to ongoing travel and meeting restrictions and lockdowns, APLHIB ensured consultative process via virtually means. Representative from HIV community, at risk of HIV, associated key populations and civil society were engaged from across Pakistan. APLHIV, based on the consultative process finalized a report highlighting the priorities interventions of the communities. APLHIV had to overcome many obstacles to ensure that prioritized interventions are part of the Funding Request for C19RM. APLHIV had to use CCM forum very effectively to ensure this.
The Funding Request was accepted at the Global Fund and finally the project was awarded. APLHIV was selected as one of the SSRs under the Common Management Unit to implement the suggested interventions at the grass roots level. The interventions being implemented are mainly “Community Led approaches”. More details are:
Strengthening HIV Care Through Community-Led Interventions: Under the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM), APLHIV is implementing two key interventions to support Pakistan’s HIV response:
(1) Tracking, engaging, and re-linking People Living with HIV (PLHIV) who are lost to follow-up (LTFU)
(2) Providing mental health and psychosocial support to PLHIV and key populations.
Both interventions are community-led, inclusive and designed to address gaps in retention, adherence, and emotional wellbeing among PLHIV across the country.
Loss to Follow Up Tracking via Community Led Interventions
Under the C19RM grant, the APLHIV has led a groundbreaking, community-driven initiative to track, engage, and re-link People Living with HIV (PLHIV) who have been lost to follow-up (LTFU) with life-saving HIV care and treatment across Pakistan. LTFU is defined as individuals who have not visited ART centers or picked up medication for six months or more, posing serious risks to both their health and broader epidemic control efforts.
APLHIV has uniquely mobilized trained community members, including PLHIV themselves, as peer trackers to lead this effort at the grassroots level. These individuals are equipped with personal insight and lived experience and have become the bridge between healthcare systems and marginalized populations who may otherwise remain unreached. The initiative prioritizes dignity, trust, and cultural sensitivity, with gender balance embedded at every level; notably, 50% of peer trackers are women, enabling stronger engagement with female clients and key populations.
Since inception, the project has successfully tracked and managed over 3,500 LTFU cases, documenting outcomes including re-linkage to ART services, deaths, and silent transfers. This intervention has significantly improved treatment retention while showcasing the power of community-led models to drive health equity and sustainability in HIV care.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services
Recognizing the often-unseen mental health burden carried by PLHIV and key populations, APLHIV has also established a dedicated psychosocial support service as part of its C19RM programming. Mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and trauma are among the leading contributors to treatment dropout and poor adherence among PLHIV. Addressing these issues is essential for a holistic, person-centered HIV response.
To meet this need, APLHIV has integrated professional psychosocial counseling into its 24/7 national helpline. A qualified mental health professional provides counselling, emotional support, therapeutic guidance, and cognitive behavioral techniques (CBT) to help callers manage distress and rebuild resilience. In severe cases, referrals are made to specialized mental health providers.
Since the service began in 2022, over 2,400 PLHIV have been counselled, with feedback indicating improved mental wellbeing and stronger re-engagement with HIV care. This innovative addition demonstrates APLHIV’s commitment to treating the whole person—not just the diagnosis—while reinforcing the critical role of mental health in achieving HIV treatment goals.