Pretoria - The South African Medical Association (SAMA) says the adoption of the “test and treat” protocol is a significant step in dealing with HIV and AIDS.
“Having to wait for treatment to start is not a clinically appropriate position. This move is immense and will certainly make a huge difference in our efforts to deal more effectively with HIV and AIDS,” said SAMA chairperson Dr Mzukisi Grootboom on Thursday.
From 1 September 2016, the Department of Health has adopted the World Health Organisation’s test and treat strategy for people with HIV.
In 2015, WHO released a document entitled ‘Guidelines on when to start anti-retroviral therapy and on pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV’. The document recommends that anyone infected with HIV should begin ARV treatment as soon possible after diagnosis.
In the past, patients could only start with treatment after it was established that their CD4 counts were lower than 500.
Test and treat has now been implemented at all South African State health facilities. – SAnews.gov.za
