In this bonus episode of HIV Reimagined, our host Dr. Shaffiq Essajee (Sr. Advisor, HIV and AIDS, UNICEF) explores what it takes to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis, spotlighting the remarkable public health achievements in Jamaica and Belize. Through powerful stories from frontline healthcare workers, health managers and community leaders, the episode unpacks the critical role of trust, education, confidentiality, and community engagement in reaching and sustaining EMTCT goals. From adolescent empowerment to government investment, this episode reveals the human side of policy and practice—and what must be done to keep progress on track.

Speakers:

• Joy Crawford, Executive Director, Eve for Life, Jamaica
• Dr. Natalia Beer, Ministry of Health, Belize
• Nurse Lind, HIV Care Provider, Belize

In the final episode of our first season of HIV Reimagined, we speak to Dr. Nathan Ford (Scientific Officer, World Health Organization) and Dr. Lydia Mpango (Senior Clinical Services Advisor, ASPIRE Project, EGPAF) about multi-month dispensing (MMD), a service approach where clients receive several months’ worth of their medications at once. MMD can apply not only to antiretroviral therapy but also other medications. Hear more about how this approach evolved and how it works in practice.

This episode features:

• Paballo ‘Mota (Service user) and Sister Motekoa Monaheng (HIV Clinical Nurse, EGPAF)
• Makaletso (Mentor mother, mothers2mothers)
• Dr. Arinatiwe Ivan (Senior Programme Officer, AIDS Control Program, Ministry of Health – Uganda)

In this episode, Dr. Shaffiq Essajee (Senior Advisor, HIV and AIDS, UNICEF) speaks to studio guest, Dr. Trevor Peter (Senior Director, Medical Diagnostics, Clinton Health Access Initiative) about innovations in HIV diagnostics, including exciting trends like the next generation of lab-based testing, the rise of self-testing, and ongoing efforts to diagnose multiple health conditions with one test. 

This episode features:

• Dr. Musaed Abrahams of AviroHealth on the Aviro Pocket Clinic

• A peer educator through UNICEF Côte d'Ivoire on the U-Test project

For more information: ⁠www.childrenandaids.org/HIVreimagined⁠