ART

Objectives of ART centers
Keeping the above in mind, the main objective of Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) is to provide comprehensive services to eligible persons with HIV/AIDS. The specific objectives of an ART center are to:

• Identify eligible persons with HIV/AIDS requiring ART through laboratory services (HIV testing, CD4 Count and other required investigations)

• Provide free ARV drugs to eligible persons with HIV/AIDS continuously

• Provide counselling services before and during treatment for ensuring drug adherence

• Educate persons and escorts on nutritional requirements, hygiene and measures to prevent transmission of infection

• Refer patients requiring specialised services or admission.

• Provide comprehensive package of services including condoms and prevention education

Functions of ART center:
PLHA should be given holistic care at ART centers. This is possible only if the team is committed and has a comprehensive understanding of the problem and care. Functions of ART center can be categorised as medical, psychological and social as indicated below

Medical Functions

• To diagnose and treat Opportunistic Infections

• To screen PLHA for eligibility to initiate ART

• To monitor patients on ART and manage sideeffects, if any

• To provide in-patient care as and when required.

• Operational Guidelines for ART Centers March 2008

• To facilitate linkages between other service providers

• To facilitate easy access to specialist’s care as necessary.

Psychological Functions

• To provide psychological support to PLHA accessing the ART center

• To provide counselling for adherence to ARV drugs

• To educate PLHA on proper nutrition

• To advise for risk reduction behaviour

• including usage of condoms

Social Functions

• To facilitate PLHA to access available resources provided by government and NGO agencies

• To facilitate linkages between other service providers and patients, like educational help for the children and Income generation programmes.