PEPFAR/India - Treatment
Adult Treatment - USG provides ART-related technical support to the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) as well as to the State AIDS Control Societies (SACS) in high-prevalence states. USG is not purchasing ART drugs due to a limited budget. USG work includes representation on the national ART Technical Working Group; staff and technical support to SACS in selected states; and the development and implementation of a national ART training curriculum. USG is also providing technical assistance for treatment adherence to ARVs with the aim of having more than 95% drug adherence and minimizing the lost to follow up cases for ART.
Pediatric Treatment - UNICEF and the Clinton Foundation are the lead agencies and key technical partners for NACO in the implementation of pediatric treatment. However, USG-funded programs in USG priority states contribute significantly to the identification, referral and follow-up of pediatric treatment cases. USG also supports link workers and peer counselors who facilitate outreach activities for early diagnosis and follow-up of children living with HIV/AIDS on ART especially pediatric ARV counseling. The main focus of USG's efforts in pediatric treatment, however, is human capacity development of health care providers to strengthen existing treatment systems. USG is initiating the linkage to PMTCT programming with pediatric treatment by advocating for Early Infant Diagnosis with NACO. USG also plans to have demonstration sites that highlight the integration of PMTCT and pediatric treatment.
Laboratory Infrastructure - The HIV-related laboratory needs in India are great. The USG has a limited but focused role in providing technical staff support in laboratory sciences and policies to NACO, in line with the third National AIDS Control Program (NACP-III). USG collaborates with, and leverages other laboratory partners' resources to improve laboratory quality assurance and control practices, engage the private and military sectors, expand quality access to essential HIV-related laboratory tests such as HIV serology and CD4 testing and advocate for standardized testing procedures.
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