Differentiated Service Delivery Policy Landscape
Jul 19, 2024
HIV Policy Lab
Download Differentiated Service Delivery Brief (pdf)
In recent years, many countries have adopted new laws and policies related to where, how frequently, and by whom HIV medicines can be distributed, in order to take evidence from pilots of differentiated HIV service delivery programs to scale. These policies can have an important impact beyond HIV for other diseases and pandemic response.
Differentiated Service Delivery (DSD) is a people-centered approach designed to enhance access and adherence to HIV services across the care continuum. Sustained access and retention in care are critical to achieving the 95-95-95 targets set forth by UNAIDS. By optimizing flexibility in service delivery by altering the frequency of clinic visits, DSD services ensure that client preferences are considered, and key and vulnerable populations, who are at greater risk for HIV, are able to access tailored HIV services at a frequency they need in an environment free from stigma and discrimination. Secondly, by encouraging task shifting and decentralization through community ART distribution, DSD alleviates the potential burden on health systems and redirects the healthcare workforce to address other critical needs. Finally and importantly, multi-month dispensing, offered through DSD, ensures the continued availability of ART for patients, the importance of which becomes apparent in events where the supply of essential drugs is disrupted, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
HIV Policy Lab’s issue brief “Post-Pandemic Progress in HIV Differential Service Delivery Policies” examines the landscape of differentiated service delivery policies and trends worldwide.