MIN/Sp/AU/CAMH3/6 HIV/AIDS Page 2 vi. Among 35 countries in the Africa region, one in every five facilities provide HTC services—ranging from less than 1% in Liberia to 100% in Botswana vii. In 2007, over 470,000 HIV positive pregnant women reportedly received ARVs for PMTCT purposes —over 50% increase from 2006 figure of slightly over 300,000. viii. In 2007, over 2.1 million people received ART in countries of this region. This represents a 60% increase in just one year—as 1.3 million people received ART in 2006. ix. Among the 35 countries that reported, 7 (20%) experienced stock outs of ARVs in part or all facilities that provide ART. x. Of the 35 countries that submitted the Universal Access (UA) reporting form, 80% implement ANC surveillance by using the WHOrecommended HIV 2nd generation surveillance protocol. In conclusion, countries in Africa took giant steps towards Universal Access for HIV prevention, care, and treatment. Among documented achievements include: increased access to ART, PMTCT and HTC. As concerns African countries under the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, the overall numbers of reported HIV cases remain small except in (Sudan), although they are slowly increasing partially due to expanding testing efforts. Access to prevention, treatment, care and support tends to be more easily available except in countries under special circumstances such as conflicts. Way Forward: As a way forward, the following recommendations are made: • • • • HTC coverage is relatively low—compared to ART and PMTCT. Provider-initiated testing and counseling (PITC) should be expanded to all public health facilities of every country Countries should not lose the momentum of prevention, PMTCT and ART scale up and have to continue or even increase the level of efforts till Universal Access targets are fully achieved. Infant diagnosis and care & treatment for infected children should be expanded. Investment and strengthening of strategic information should be undertaken, particularly in methods of understanding the dynamics of specific country epidemics and its drivers