Central government has launched Viral Load Test Scheme for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). Subsequently, govt. will provide absolutely free of cost Viral Load testing to PLHIV on treatment inside our country at-least once a year. Accordingly, this scheme will benefit more than 12 lakh people affected with HIV / AIDS.
Viral Load Testing is the next important step for treatment and monitoring of people living with HIV after “Treat For All” initiative. This Viral Load Test is of paramount importance for measuring the effectiveness of treatment taking lifelong Antiretroviral Therapy.
Moreover, this Viral Load Testing Scheme will empower ART medical officers to track failure on 1st line treatment and will thus sava PLHIV to develop any resistance towards drugs.
Viral Load Test Scheme
This routine Viral Load Testing will optimize utilization of first line regimens. Accordingly, this will prevent drug resistance and thus ensure longevity of people suffering from HIV. Viral Load Test Scheme will also strengthen “Mission Sampark” to monitor ‘Loss to Follow Up (LFU) PLHIV. Viral Load Testing will also reduce the disgrace and discrimination of PLHIV and provide them with proper access to health services.
At the official launch event, Health Minister has also released National Guidelines for HIV-1 Viral Load Laboratory Testing, National Operational Guidelines for Viral Load Testing, Standard Operating Procedure for HIV-1 Quant Assay with CBNAAT and Guidelines on Quality Monitoring System for Outsourced Viral Load Tests.
HIV / AIDS Act for PLHIV
Central govt. has also passed HIV / AIDS Act – law for protection of rights of HIV affected people. THe important features are listed in the table below:-
| Prohibition of discrimination | Informed Consent |
| Non-disclosure of HIV status | Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) |
| Opportunistic infection management | Protection of property of affected children |
| Safe working environment | Appointment of ombudsman in every State |
Treat All Initiative
In the FY 2017, Central govt. also started “Treat All” initiative to ensure early treatment and stopping virus transmission. Accordingly, Indian govt. also revised the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) treatment protocols. This Treat All initiative prevents virus transmission at both the individual and community level. Henceforth, around 12 lakh PLHIV are availing the benefits of free treatment at approx. 530 ART centers.
For the past few years, there is an increase in the number of PLHIV who requires proper treatment and thus there is an increase in the monitoring needs. Henceforth to monitor viral load suppression, NACO scales up the Viral Load Testing facility.
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