The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and the Indian Council of Medical Research-National AIDS Research Institute (ICMR-NARI) in Pune are working together on a research study to ensure greater equity in access to HIV viral load (VL) testing, a crucial marker to track the prognosis of HIV positive patients receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART).

Dr. Suchit Kamble, the study′s principal investigator and researcher at ICMR-NARI, explained that the study would concentrate on different sample collection approaches and HIV viral load testing. Other experts said the new tactics would be used if appropriate.

Dr. Sheela Godbole, Director of ICMR NARI, stated that the efficacy of ART and medications that suppress HIV in the blood (both at individual and public health levels) depends on people′s adherence to both ART and these medications.

In the meantime, the Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) data reveals that currently, viral suppression affects 91% of the 2,08,663 people undergoing testing. It has increased testing for HIV viral loads in priority populations at roughly 10 labs at state-run medical colleges.