Government to introduce Third Line Treatment of HIV/AIDS in 10 ART Centres across the country

Presently, the first line and second line antiretroviral therapy (ART) is given to HIV/AIDS patients free of cost in all ART Centres across the country. The Technical Resource Group on ART on 27th December, 2013 recommended providing third line antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS patients through 10 centres of excellence across the country. The process for the same has been initiated at Department of AIDS Control.

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Viral load testing is provided free of cost to all those eligible for ART as per guidelines across the country. As per the HIV/AIDS Bill, the Central Government or the State Government shall take measures for providing, as far as possible, anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and Opportunistic Infection (OI) management to people living with HIV/AIDS.

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This was stated by Shri Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on 18th Feb, 2014.