Satellite: Integrating Nutrition Assessment, Counseling, and Support (NACS) into HIV Services

Date, Time and Location

Sunday, July 22, 3:45 – 5:45 p.m., in Mini-Room 7

About this Session

This satellite session will provide policy makers, donors, program designers and implementers, clinicians, and people living with HIV (PLHIV) access to the knowledge and experience of technical and programmatic experts on implementing NACS. Sub-sessions will provide an overview of the elements and application of NACS and how it can contribute to health system strengthening. The panel discussion will address the challenges and opportunities inherent in applying the NACS approach.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the components of NACS and its implications for HIV treatment, care, and support;
  • Identify clinic- and community-based NACS interventions and the importance of clinic-community linkages in the NACS approach

Background on NACS

Nutrition assessment, counseling, and support (NACS) is an approach for integrating nutrition into the care of patients with HIV and TB, as well as into other health services. The approach focuses on nutrition components of clinical services and fosters linkages between clinical facilities and community programs to prevent and treat malnutrition and to link clients to livelihood and economic strengthening support to improve long-term food security.

Partners

Support for this satellite session is provided by the:

  • United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Nutrition Office of HIV/AIDS (HIDN/OHA)
  • U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
  • FHI 360/Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance III Project (FANTA)
  • FHI 360/Livelihood & Food Security Technical Assistance Project (LIFT)

Session Outline

Welcome and Introduction

  • Tony Castleman (Chair)

The Biological Relationship between HIV and Nutrition

  • Christine Wanke (Tufts University)

The Socioeconomic Impact between HIV, Food Security, and Nutrition

  • Jason Wolfe (USAID)

Evolution of the NACS Approach

  • Tim Quick (USAID)

Elements and Applications of the NACS Approach Serigne Diene (FANTA)

Panel Discussion

How do we integrate NACS as part of health systems strengthening? What are the design challenges –  harmonization, resources, capacity development, and sustainability?

  • Christine Wanke
  • Tim Quick
  • Amie Heap (USAID)
  • Jason Wolfe
  • Serigne Diene
  • Margaret Kyenkya (URC)