| The Enhanced HIV & AIDS Control Programme (Federal Component) and Provincial AIDS Control Programs under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and with full support of the Government of Pakistan have established 15 HIV Treatment and Care centres nationwide. These centers provide comprehensive HIV care services including free antiretroviral therapy, free advanced HIV diagnostics such as CD4 and HIV Viral load testing, management of HIV related opportunistic infections and counseling services to HIV positive people of Pakistan.To date nearly 3983 HIV positive people are receiving care and of these 1725 are on life saving antiretroviral therapy. |
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| The HIV epidemic is rapidly expanding worldwide (i.e 35 million people affected worldwide) and there is no country in the world that is immune to this devastating pandemic. With abundant resources and functional health systems developed countries have successfully managed to deal with this human crisis. While poorer, resource limited (developing countries) are struggling to strengthen prevention and treatment programs, build health systems, form linkages, mobilize resources financial and human, and at the same time dealing with a crisis that is ever growing. |
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| The vision for these public sectors HIV Treatment and Care Centers operating within the limitations of the Pakistani health care paradigm is to achieve high standards of care and maintain long term program sustainability. Some major barriers to provision of good quality care experienced in the last one year are |
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| Slowly changing attitudes of health care provides towards HIV positive patients
Poor awareness and sensitivity to HIV related psychological and social issues on the part of healthcare workers
Poor concept of continuity of care among physicians and patients
Financial constraints in accessing necessary supplementary care despite the availability of free antiretrovirals and HIV testing.
Prevailing distrust of the public sector health system
Addressing issues of stigma in HIV disclosure with family and friends
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| Objectives |
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- To provide antiretroviral therapy, management of opportunistic infections, voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services and management of acute/chronic care of HIV related infections to people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
- Follow up and monitor treatment related adverse effects, toxicities and provide medical and psychological support in understanding both the disease and treatment demands.
- Establish and strengthen laboratory diagnostics support for HIV management and care including CD4 and HIV viral load testing.
- Promote linkages with referral services (hospital based services), community organizations/NGOs and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) to enhance access to care and other support services (i.e. nutritional, financial, social)
- To reduce stigma of HIV through acceptance of PLWHA and create awareness of HIV as a chronic medical condition.
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| Services Currently Being Provided: |
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- Medical Care:
- HIV/AIDS related acute and chronic medical care
- Management of Opportunistic infections
- Provision of Antiretroviral therapy (ART)
- In-patient ward admission facility
- Referral to specialist services (i.e medical, surgical, pediatric, obstetrics-gynecology, psychiatric, dental etc)
- Counseling Services:
- Pre-test counseling
- Post-test counseling
- Individual, couples, family and group counseling
- Out-reach peer counselors (PLWHA volunteers)
- Referral to COs/NGOs for social support services and PLWHA groups
- Laboratory/Diagnostics:
- HIV ELISA screening
- CD 4 and HIV viral load PCR testing
- General laboratory diagnostics
- Radiological support
- Facility to send out specialized tests to NIH reference laboratory
- Pharmacy:
- Inventory of ARVs, OIs and STIs medications
- Drug related specialized adherence counseling
- Nutritional Counseling:
- Daily caloric requirements
- Efficient utilization of resources to meet caloric requirements
- Healthy lifestyle choices
- Educational materials
- Referral to nutritional support opportunities if needed
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| New additions |
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- Establishment of Seven PPTCT Centres. This increased referrals from treatment and Cares Centres for pregnant patients seeking antenatal care and consultation for Gynaecological issues.
- Availability of variety of ARVs regimens e.g Tenofovir and Kaletra and OIs.
- Availability of free Hepatitis B and Pneumococcal vaccines.
- Appointment of a trained counsellor (PLWHA) at PIMS.
- Availability of free of cost Lab investigations with WHO collaboration.
- Visiting consultants has been increased in number at PIMS HIV treatment & Care Centre.
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| HIV/AIDS Treatment and Care Centres in Pakistan |
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| List of Treatment Centres |
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| List of Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT) Centres |
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