India has an estimated 20.9 lakh people living with HIV. However, nearly 30 -35 percent of these do not know there HIV status. After a person gets infected with HIV, there is a long asymptomatic period of 5-8 years when infected person may not have any symptoms till his immunity goes down significantly and he start getting different opportunistic infection like TB, diarrhoea, fungal infection etc. Hence most of the HIV infected persons present to health system in late stage when immunity is very low and their response to treatment may not be optimal. Also during this long asymptomatic period of 5-8 years, though they are infected but may not be aware of HIV status and are capable of spreading the infection their spouse or others if they continue to indulge unprotected sex.
Early detection of PLHIV is beneficial for patient himself as he can receive timely appropriate treatment including ART as well as for the community to stop further transmission of HIV.
We invite suggestion from community/ NGO/ CBO/ Civil society and public at large their views/ ideas on How to facilitate early detection of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and put them on ART as soon as possible.
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Last date for sending your suggestions is 26th November, 2014.
