I-TECH India – NewBuzz for June 2020
The first of its kind, e-transfer protocols for migrant PLHIV have been developed by I-TECH India in consultation with the Government partners for ensuring retention in HIV care.
The COVID-19 lockdown resulted in loss of livelihood options forcing the migrant PLHIV from Mumbai to return to their native places, within and outside the state of Maharashtra, for an uncertain period. Many of the migrant PLHIV were stranded at various places during transit with no or little knowledge of the ART refill centres in their vicinity.
I-TECH India supported the ART Centres in tracking the migrant PLHIVs and guiding them to the nearest ART Centre for collecting ARV refill. The e-transfer activity is being implemented in close coordination with the parent and recipient ART Centre for the PLHIVs who are willing to avail the Transfer Out facility. Apart from e-transfer, notifications through SMS services are being provided to Migrant PLHIV. In the first phase 474 PLHIV are being tracked through this system to ensure retention in HIV care.