Expanding ART Services for Prisoners

I-TECH India is working in Mumbai to increase access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-positive prison inmates. The Mumbai District AIDS Control Society has set up integrated counselling and testing centres at two major prisons in Mumbai. There have been 31,189 tests conducted so far with 574 of those being identified as HIV positive cases. I-TECH India provided formal training to the prison staff and the ART centre to initiate a differentiated model of care. In December, a Link ART Centre model was launched for the prison inmates that provides services like monthly drugs dispensation, counselling, and other support to improve their retention through quality continuum of care. So far, 25 clients have been linked out from both jails.