Countries Integrate HIV and STI Care Into Primary Health Systems

Countries Are Integrating HIV, Hepatitis, and STI Services Into Primary Health Care

Countries around the world are increasingly working to integrate HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) services into their primary health care (PHC) systems. This shift responds to declining donor funding and the urgent need for sustainable, country-owned health strategies.

A new policy brief from the World Health Organization highlights the progress and lessons learned from 10 countries — including Brazil, Kenya, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Viet Nam — as they align disease-focused services with broader health system reforms.

Integration Leads to Better Access and Outcomes

These countries are adopting a people-centered approach, combining disease-specific services with PHC to:

Improve access to essential services
Strengthen community engagement
Deliver more efficient and sustainable care
Enhance health outcomes
Secure long-term financing

The policy brief is built around the WHO/UNICEF PHC Operational Framework, which includes 4 strategic and 10 operational levers. Countries that acted across four or more levers saw the most success.

Key Strategies for Effective Integration

The policy brief recommends several critical actions:

Strong political leadership and governance
Sustainable funding models
Health system–focused planning, rather than siloed programs
Task sharing among health workers to expand capacity
Community engagement to foster trust and equity
Anti-stigma efforts to improve service uptake
Digital health tools to support delivery
Private sector partnerships for innovation and scale

This integrated model provides a clear pathway for countries to improve service quality and resilience while meeting the needs of vulnerable populations in a cost-effective, sustainable way.