Reliable and timely HIV testing increases the number of people who know their HIV status and are linked to HIV treatment. USAID’s Sustainable HIV Response From Technical Assistance (SHIFT) activity has expanded the availability of HIV testing across 20 districts in target provinces and has set-up quality standards necessary to sustain these services. As part of making that effort sustainable, in January 2018, USAID and Dien Bien Provincial AIDS Center (PAC) teamed up to review and strengthen the quality of HIV testing in three district laboratories. This month, the Dien Bien PAC demonstrated their improved capacity by independently leading its own quality monitoring exercises to assess and improve HIV laboratory services in two additional districts.

So What? USAID is progressively building local capacity while building self-reliance for Vietnam’s HIV response to local stakeholders. By putting quality standards in place, USAID is promoting durable, local health system leadership to sustain high quality services.