TOWARDS ELIMINATION OF PEDIATRIC HIV: ANALYZING THE PMTCT CASCADE AND POLICY READINESS IN DELHI

Government of India has planned to adopt option ‘B’ of the WHO PMTCT guidelines to be initially piloted in few high HIV prevalent states of the country in September 2012. The present study was undertaken with aim to assess level of preparedness of Delhi to launch the new WHO (2010) PMTCT strategy. Gaps were identified at each step of the PMTCT cascade during January 2011 to December 2011 which could be successfully addressed by simple measures like sensitizing pediatricians and obstetricians & gynecologists, review meeting with PPTCT /ICTC staff, expanding the outreach activity, training ANMs, on site linkage meetings and scaling up Early Infant Diagnosis programme. The stage is now set for the launch of new WHO PMTCT guidelines of ‘Triple ARV prophylaxis to all HIV positive pregnant women with CD4 count > 350 cells / cu.mm. To achieve the global objective of virtual elimination of pediatric HIV by 2015. However, the new strategy would require comprehensive convergence with MCH and remarkable commitment from the pediatricians, obstetricians & gynecologists, counselors and ANMs involved in the care of pregnant women to ensure adherence to the triple ARV regimen to prevent emergence of drug resistance.