DAPCU North Tripura (Tripura) Response to the Theme : Strategies for reducing ART-LFU at district

Action point taken to reduce the LFU & Pending CD4 count:

• DAPCU has worked in close coordination with Tripura SACS, health department officials and NACP facility staff to put in place a strategy to collect blood for CD4 count testing at the Facility Integrated ART (FI-ART) centre itself. This strategy has reduced LFU cases as clients can reach the FI-ART easily instead of going to the Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) located at a distance of 190 kms.
  

• A sensitization workshop was organized for people living with HIV to discuss the importance of pre-ART registration, CD4 testing, ART adherence and reducing LFU cases.

DAPCU has initiated steps in coordination with facilities for tracing LFU cases through better outreach and improved counselling of people living with HIV. ANC mothers are  being tracked with the help of community members, ASHA and Multi Purpose Worker.

Mobilization and sensitization on CD4 testing for People Living with HIV at Dharmanagar, North Tripura

Blood sample collection by FI-ART centre at Dharmanagar, North Tripura

DAPCU Sri Ganga Nagar (Rajasthan) Response to the Theme : Strategies for reducing ART-LFU at district

For effective tracking of LFUs, the line list of LFUs is shared with the concerned NACP facility staff and discussed in monthly review meetings organized by DAPCU. Facility staff are advised to follow-up with LFU clients telephonically first and then plan home visit if necessary. LFU clients are asked to share the underlying reasons for discontinuing ART and counselled about the importance of taking ART without missing a dose. The harmful effects of abruptly stopping the medication is explained to clients and their anxiety and misconceptions are addressed.

DAPCU is taking steps in coordination with ANM and ASHA to deal with stigma and discrimination faced by clients on ART, which may prevent them from coming to the ART centre for collecting medicines. Family counselling is done to create a supportive environment at home for the ART client.