I-TECH India – NewBuzz for Oct 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted public health service delivery including HIV treatment services. Viral Load (VL) testing remains crucial for monitoring PLHIV on ART to ensure reduction in risk of transmission and improvement in the quality of life. Around 1400 PLHIV were due for VL testing in the high prevalent state of Manipur; a priority state for PEPFAR. I-TECH India in close coordination with the State AIDS Control Society (SACS) and various HIV service providers facilitated a 5-day VL testing camp from 21 -25 September 2020 at Social Action and Service Organisation (SASO), a Differentiated Service Delivery CAOC site for Key Population (KP) group. Out of 1400 clients due for VL testing, 473 (33%) were tested during the camp consisting of 91% PWID, 8% MSM and 1% FSW PLHIV. 97% PLHIV were virally suppressed. 108 (23%) PLHIV underwent VL testing for the first time from the start of ART treatment. Additional three camps were also conducted for the CLHIV (children living with HIV) in care homes and Targeted Intervention sites. This VL testing model shall soon be replicated by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in coordination with CDC India to cover the backlog of VL testing in the NorthEast region. This decentralized model of sample collection may also result in enhancing the testing coverage of PLHIV from difficult-to-reach terrains.