AEGiS-11IAC: India's first integrated health care centre for people living with HIV/AIDS! - a case study.

11th International AIDS Conference


Vancouver, British Columbia — July 7-12, 1996

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India's first integrated health care centre for people living with HIV/AIDS! - a case study.

Int Conf AIDS 1996 Jul 7-12; 11:443 (abstract no. Pub.B.1037)
Changedia SM, Shrigoppekar N, Gilada I; Unison Medicare, Bombay, India.

OBJECTIVES: Looking at the lackadasical attitude of the medical professionals in India towards the management of people with HIV/AIDS and the growing need for developing clinical services for them, an unique clinical set-up was aimed with the objectives of providing holistic services to the people with HIV/AIDS. Method: A comprehensive set-up with clincal services, Counseling, Laboratory and Radiology services under one roof was started in February, 1995; which was later described as the country's first clinic on these lines. A philosophy of "The patient with HIV/AIDS is still my patient" was promoted in this polyclinic; where several specialists from different medical faculties are attached for consulting. Prototypes of Washington's Whitman Walker Clinic and Germant's KLINICUM IMMUNO-DEFICIENCY (KID), Munchen were used as guiding principles. Patients with HIV/AIDS were given choice to be anonymous or register in assumed names or in their own names. In one year 520 new cases were registered and 390 old cases were followed up. Strict confidentiality was maintained, an atmosphere of welcome was offered and Pre-Test, Post-Test, Crisis and Supportive counseling formed an integral part of each patient's management. Patients are followed up on quarterly basis. If necessary prophylaxis against Tuberculosis and PCP were given. Cost-effectivity was top priority. Continuum of care- including home based care and in-patient services are offered.

RESULTS: The concept was well received, only after an initial backfire from the local community. Patients are referred from all over the country. Patients are satisfied right from their first entry and compliance is very good, with the least fall-out rate.

CONCLUSIONS: The concept of Comprehensive Clinical services for people with HIV/AIDS has been so positive that it has become a cost-effective, replicable model in India.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV, Sjogren's Syndrome, HIV Infections, HIV-1, Tuberculosis, Health Services Needs and Demand, Confidentiality, India, Washington, Human, ICA11KWDaegis,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hiv,sjogren'ssyndrome,hivinfections,hiv-1,tuberculosis,healthservicesneedsanddemand,confidentiality,india,washington,human,ica11

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PubB1037

Copyright © 1996 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.