Wang and colleagues presented a poster outlining an ARV roll out programme in Yunnan Province, which has the largest number of HIV cases in China with local IDU-driven epidemics.

Provincial and local authorities with support from the Clinton Foundation have implemented HIV treatment in 11 sites since July 2005. Cumulatively 2315 patients were on ARVs with 4335 additional people followed in care by November 2007.

An integrated services approach links hospital-based clinics with community outreach/peer support centres that follow patients in clinic and out in their communities. Linkages with methadone maintenance, needle exchanges, and TB control programs extend the net of services to enter and retain IDUs in care. Extension of HIV treatment into enclosed settings has begun to ensure continuity of ARVs and re-entry into community-based medical care upon release. A model decentralising care from hospital clinics to township and village levels has been piloted with lines for consultation, referral and oversight by HIV-trained clinicians. Retention in care, and treatment benefit documented by CD4 and viral load, show good results.

Next steps are to expand capacities for patient follow-up at village level and access to care in enclosed settings.

Ref:
Wang Y et al. Scaling up comprehensive HIV treatment for injection drug using populations in Yunnan Province. Abstract CDB0248.
http://www.aids2008.org/Pag/Abstracts.aspx?AID=14468