Since its independence from Ethiopia in 1991 the Eritrean government has shown its strong commitment to controlling the epidemic. In 1992 the National AIDS Control Program Unit (NACP) in the Ministry of Health was launched which became the National HIV/AIDS/STIs and TB Control Division (NATCOD) in 2003.

The HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Tuberculosis (HAMSET) project was launched in 2001. This is World Bank-supported multisectoral project involving government, civil society (non governmental organizations, faith based organizations), private sector and people living with HIV.

The government launched its first five-year National Strategic Plan (NSP) on HIV/AIDS/STIs for the period 1997-2002. A second NSP was formulated for the period 2003-2007 and it involved bilateral and multilateral development partners. Currently, the country is in the process of developing its third NSP for 2008-2012.

Eritrea has recently launched a new evidence-based National Strategic Plan for 2008/12 entitled "Geared toward Universal Access" where priority strategies have been re-oriented with a special emphasis on the most at risk populations.

The National HIV and AIDS Policy and Policy Guidelines have also been re-visited in 2009 to reflect progresses made in responding to the epidemic and to redefine the country's vision, priorities and goals in the response to HIV.

To secure appropriated level of funding for the new National Strategic Plan, the Eritrean Country Coordination Mechanism - "The Partnership" - developed a proposal for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria round 8 entitled "Reaching the Un-reached: Accelerating HIV and AIDS Interventions towards Universal Access to Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support". The round 8 submission was approved for an amount of USD 45 million. This grant comes to complement two previous grants for HIV and AIDS and secures funding for the National Strategic Plan 2008/12 priority interventions.

Finally, Eritrea’s national response to the HIV epidemic is based on multisectoral approach and is in line with the principles of the “Three Ones”. Eritrea has also formulated its Millennium Development Goals in 2004 and has set its Universal Access Targets on prevention, treatment, care and support services in 2007 and is expected to be realized by 2010.

Key Achievements

Important milestones in the government's response to the HIV epidemic in the past years include:

• Establishment of the NACP in 1992
• Adoption in 1997 of the first 5-year National Strategic Plan, which emphasized a multisectoral approach and decentralization of HIV prevention and control programmes
• Ratification in 1998 of the HIV and STIs policy guidelines. The key elements of the guidelines include individual and collective responsibility, voluntary counseling and testing, confidentiality, reduction of stigma and discrimination, equity in access to health services;
• Launch of the HAMSET Control Project in 2000
• Approval in 2002 of a Second National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV/AIDS/STIs for the period 2003 – 2007
• Adoption of a set of HIV testing guidelines in 2002
• Launch of a national behavior change communication (BCC) strategy in 2002 called "Winning through Caring: The BCC Strategy for prevention of HIV and control of AIDS in Eritrea"
• Restructuring of the Ministry of Health in 2003 and the creation of the National HIV/AIDS/STI and TB Control Division (NATCoD)
• Development of PMTCT guidelines and plan of action in 2003
• Development of Joint UN and Partners Implementation Support Plan to the National Strategic Plan, developed for 2003, 2004 and 2005
• Development and implementation of Joint UN team program of support on AIDS in 2006, 2007
• The formulation of National HIV/AIDS/ST Monitoring and Evaluation Plan in 2005;
• Development of antiretroviral policy and treatment guide lines in 2005
• Launching of antiretroviral therapy in September 2005
• Development of a revised Eritrean HIV/AIDS Care Manual in 2007
• Launch of the third five-year National Strategic Plan for 2008-2012

Key Challenges

• NACA - National AIDS Coordinating Agency http://www.naca.gov.bw/
• National Strategic Plan
• PMTCT and Paediatric Care and Treatment Fact Sheet