The Technical Resources Group has recommended providing third line antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS patients in 10 Centres of Excellence across the country.
The process for the same has been initiated at Department of AIDS Control. Viral load testing is also available across the country in 9 testing laboratories
The Department under National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) has prepared a PPTCT scheme and is implementing it throughout the country from 2001-02, onwards. Under the PPTCT scheme counselling and testing services are provided to all ante-natal population detection of HIV positive pregnant women.
Provision of free Anti-Retro Viral (ARV) prophylaxis to HIV positive pregnant women and the new born infant so as to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV from Mother to Child. Since 2001-02, a single dose of ARV prophylaxis (Nevirapine Tablet to pregnant women at the onset of labour and syrup-Nevirapine syrup to new born infant) was given to pregnant women and new born infant.
Since January,2014 all HIV positive pregnant women would be provided triple drugs (TDF- Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, 3TC Lamivudine and Efavirenz- EFV) ARV life long, irrespective of CD4 count or WHO clinical staging.
Modalities worked out:-
• The National Strategic plan (NSP) for implementing the triple drug ARV for PPTCT has been developed.
• The technical guidelines have been developed based on the new regimen.
• Training of Trainers(ToTs) for capacity building of field staff has been completed for the state of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Damanand Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.
• ToTs for remaining states are planned across the country.
• The regimen has been rolled out in the state of Karnataka (September, 2012) and Tamil Nadu (March, 2013) in first phase.
• During 2012-13 out of the 7509 pregnant women detected HIV positive 6948 (93%) were provided with single dose nevirapine prophylaxis. In the states implementing the new regimen, out of 4483 pregnant women detected HIV positive 3179 (71%) provided with triple drug ARV prophylaxis.
• In thecurrent financial year (till November, 2013) out of the 6441 pregnant women detected HIV positive 4551 (71%) were provided with single dose nevirapine prophylaxis. In the states implementing the new regimen, out of 3184 pregnant women detected HIV positive 2614 (82%) provided with triple drug ARV prophylaxis.
The Department of AIDS Control, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has completed all the necessary procedures required for introduction of Bill in Parliament. These include vetting of the Bill by the Ministry of Law and Justice, seeking the approval of the Cabinet and other administrative processes as outlined by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. The notice of intention to introduce the Bill in the Parliament has already been given.
This was stated by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today.
