PAHLCA
The Pediatrics and Adolescent HIV Learning Collaborative for Africa
Together we can end AIDS in children by 2030
The Pediatrics and Adolescent HIV Learning Collaborative for Africa (PAHLCA) is a collaborative platform led by the STREPP that annually brings together diverse stakeholders from across the African continent through a peer-to-peer learning platform to share best practices, fostering learning, innovation, and collaboration in the field of pediatric and adolescent HIV/AIDS. Additionally, PALHCA has developed a best practices document to guide the uptake and utilization of the evidence – based practices.
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End-to-End Learning & Impact
PAHLCA unites health programmes, research institutions and youth networks across the continent to share evidence-based solutions for children and adolescents living with HIV. From early diagnosis, optimized therapy and adolescent transition to community engagement and policy change — we foster Africa-wide learning to drive measurable improvements in paediatric and adolescent HIV care.
Early Diagnosis & Linkage to Care
Strengthening systems for testing children and adolescents, ensuring prompt linkage into care, and closing gaps in the first step of the HIV care cascade.
Optimised Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
Promoting uptake of child- and adolescent-friendly regimens, access to best formulations and monitoring of viral suppression.
Clinical & Psychosocial Support
Integrating mental health, nutrition, growth monitoring, family-centred counselling and peer networks to enhance retention and wellbeing.
Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) & Infant Care
Supporting collaborations with maternal and neonatal services so HIV-exposed infants get prompt diagnostics, care and follow-up.
Community Engagement & Adolescent Empowerment
Engaging families, youth networks, schools and local actors to tackle stigma, empower adolescents living with HIV and support transition into adult care.
Research, Implementation Science & Scale-Up
Facilitating multi-country learning, sharing tool-kits, building capacity for implementation research and scaling best practices across Africa.
Learning to action
The journey from start to finish
Facilitating multi-country learning and the rapid uptake of evidence-based paediatric and adolescent HIV interventions, PAHLCA shares toolkits, job-aids and implementation frameworks while building national capacity for implementation science — so countries can test, adapt and scale best practices that improve diagnosis, treatment and retention for children and adolescents across Africa.
- 30+ Participating African Countries
- Evidence-Driven Implementation
- Scalable Toolkits & Frameworks
- Continuous Knowledge Exchange
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how it works
1
Connect & Join the Network
Register your country team, share your priorities and link to peer programmes across Africa.
2
Share & Learn from Best Practices
Exchange case studies, tools, evidence and implementation experiences to drive improvements in your national programme.
3
Adapt & Scale-Up
Apply learnings, adopt innovations, monitor outcomes and grow your impact across children and adolescents living with HIV.
Your Questions Answered
At PAHLCA, we understand that country programmes, clinicians, youth networks and funders have questions about paediatric and adolescent HIV care across programme settings. Here you’ll find clear, evidence-based answers to frequently asked questions to inform your planning, implementation and partnerships
PAHLCA (The Paediatric and Adolescent HIV Learning Collaborative for Africa) is a regional platform that promotes cross-country learning and implementation of evidence-based HIV interventions for children and adolescents. It brings together Ministries of Health, implementing partners, researchers, and global agencies to share data, toolkits, and best practices that strengthen diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care outcomes across Africa.
PAHLCA accelerates the adoption of proven HIV interventions through learning networks, capacity-building workshops, and data-driven improvement cycles. The initiative supports countries to identify service gaps, test innovative solutions, and scale up effective models for HIV testing, treatment initiation, viral load monitoring, and retention in care among children and adolescents.
PAHLCA currently involves multiple countries across sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Nigeria, and others. The collaborative works closely with national HIV programs, leveraging technical support from partners such as PEPFAR, WHO, UNICEF, and ICAP to ensure each country adapts best practices to its local context.
Knowledge exchange occurs through regional workshops, virtual learning sessions, joint data reviews, and publication of implementation toolkits. Countries share success stories, challenges, and new insights via webinars and communities of practice — helping accelerate progress toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets for children and adolescents living with HIV.
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Get Involved
1
Register
Register for upcoming PAHLCA events and virtual learning sessions
2
Contribute
Contribute your case studies, tools or innovations for peer sharing
3
Join
Join the directory of paediatric & adolescent HIV focal persons across African countries
3
Connect
Connect with other country teams, networks and research collaborations
