Karnataka is all set to get nine more viral load testing centres which will help reduce hassles and ensure timely detection of immunological failure in HIV patients.
The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) that is scaling up viral load testing in the national HIV programme is now keen on strengthening and expanding the molecular diagnostic capacity for viral load testing. As part of this, NACO is setting up 80 such centres across the country.
Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Shalini Rajneesh told The Hindu that NACO would provide initial financial support of ₹10 lakh for setting up the centres. As of now, samples from across Karnataka are tested in the only such government facility available in NIMHANS in Bengaluru. The new centres will come up at Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences in Ballari; JSS Medical College, Mysuru; one more centre in NIMHANS, Bengaluru; Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru; BLDE Medical College, Vijayapura; Government Medical College, Kalaburagi; Government Medical College, Shivamogga; Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi, and Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi.
Vital procedure
According to a senior doctor in charge of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) in Karnataka, viral load testing is vital for patients who are already on the first line of HIV treatment to check how their immune system is fighting the virus.
“The new centres will reduce the delay in identifying first-line failure cases and improve the quality of patients with timely availability of second line ART drugs,” the doctor said.
Of the 1.32 lakh patients in the State, who are on first-line treatment, 3,055 have been put on second-line treatment since 2004 and 55 are on third-line treatment. “It is important that the viral load is tested in every patient at least once in six months to ensure that the disease is under control or if there is a need to refer them to the next level of treatment,” the doctor pointed out.
Last week, the Union Health Ministry launched a ‘test and treat’ policy for new HIV patients. This would entitle every person who tests positive for HIV to free treatment. The move is part of the country’s National Strategic Plan for HIV for next seven years.
