The early detection of HIV and AIDS, TB, viral hepatitis, and STI cases with linkage to care and treatment services is a cornerstone in the response to the epidemics to reduce infection rates and improve the health outcomes of individuals and communities. CBVCT has proven effective to detect new HIV cases, especially in communities where access to health care services is limited. Based on the WHO’s guidelines on HIV Testing Services (HTS) and with the introduction of rapid and self-sampling testing options for HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs, CBVCT services are an essential and indispensable element of the responses to the three pandemics.
In 2017 AIDS Action Europe developed an Advocacy Tool that addressed gaps and challenges for the cross-sectoral cooperation in the field of CBVCT in Europe. This study assembles the opinions and ideas of different stakeholders who provided very diverse points of view on the subject, because as they play different roles at the national and European levels and come from different countries. Their opinions and ideas, together with some extracts of the many documents produced on the subject of CBVCT services, were used as the basis to develop recommendations which serve as an advocacy tool for improving the actual situation.
In the 2022-2026 strategic plan, AAE will continue working on CBVCT, facilitating good practice knowledge exchange, capacity building and dissemination of results and news. As part of our activities on CBVCT, AAE will continue its work with the COBATEST and EURO HIV/EDAT networks and their coordinating organisation CEEISCAT in Barcelona.
