Improving Retention through Initiation of ART in Prisons

With HIV prevalence around 1.8% among prisoners in India, inmates face a major challenge with access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and follow up. This problem with access has resulted in a loss of continuum of care and shows an urgent need for a client-cantered ART dispensation model for inmates. In January 2019, I-TECH India initiated an ART dispensation model at two prisons in Mumbai district. In May 2019, this model was expanded to the Thane district where I-TECH India, along with officials from Maharashtra AIDS Control Society, conducted joint visits for assessing feasibility. Additionally, a well-defined post-release treatment plan for all HIV-positive prison inmates was formulated to retain inmates in the HIV cascade. Currently, 42 prisoners are receiving ART services while in prison.