Option B+ toolkit

About

The toolkit is a collection of assessment tools and checklists that describe the key considerations to be taken into account when transitioning to Option B/B+. The toolkit helps countries scale up more effective interventions and programs.

Though comprehensive, the toolkit is not intended to be exhaustive  but provides a critical step in presenting the various political, financial, and programmatic factors to consider when implementing Option B/B+. It does not have to be used in its entirety. Each module stands on its own and can be used selectively depending on each user’s specific needs and interests.

Section 1: Key Considerations for Country Programmes
Option B/B+: Key Considerations for Country Programmes is an overarching guidance document which lays out key issues for implementation. The documents are organized by programme category and aligned with the PEPFAR Country Readiness Assessment Tools (Section 1 of the toolkit).

Section 2: Moving Towards ART for All Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
The Moving Towards ART for All Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women Readiness Assessment Checklist and Discussion Guide is a comprehensive checklist for national programmes to review as they plan for implementation of Option B/B+. The checklist covers a large number of key programme areas from political commitment to early infant diagnosis, posing critical questions to be addressed as well as indicating minimum readiness standards for implementing Option B/B+.

Section 3: Moving Towards Expanded HIV Services for Children
The Moving Towards Expanded HIV Services for Children Readiness Assessment Checklist and Discussion Guide may be used to assess the readiness by health systems to improve care and treatment of children.

Section 4: HIV Rapid Test Quality Assurance Checklist
The HIV Rapid Test Quality Assurance Checklist facilitates the process of thinking through key HIV RT quality assurance (QA)1 and programmatic issues needed to improve HIV rapid testing in MNCH settings.

Section 5: Tuberculosis / HIV Checklist
The Tuberculosis / HIV Checklist is intended to assist in the integration of TB/HIV services into PMTCT and MNCH programs.

Section 6: Costing Tool
The Costing Tool Considerations in Costing a Transition to Option B/B+ describes the costing models that can be used to cost operational plans for Option B/B+ implementation including descriptions of programme inputs and outputs associated with each model.

Section 7: Human Resources for Health
The Human Resources for Health tool outlines key considerations around HR capacity and task-shifting as an essential component for successful implementation of Option B/B+.

Section 8: Procurement and Supply Chain Management
The Procurement and Supply Chain Management provides a list of key questions for the MOH to consider as they strengthen and adjust procurement and supply chain management systems to accommodate transition to Option B/B+, and includes links to resources and tools to assist with forecasting.

Section 9: Enhanced Monitoring and Evaluation Systems
The Enhanced Monitoring and Evaluation Systems provides an overview of concepts and questions to guide national discussion of M&E issues specific to Option B/B+ implementation, as well as quality assurance methods and a list of potential topics for operational research.

Section 10: Community Engagement
There are two tools. The first consists of recommendations for Ministries of Health on involving communities in Option B/B+ planning and implementation discussions, while the second document is designed for civil society organizations to use in dialogue with the MOH to advocate for the rights of people living with HIV.