Preparing the patient for ART

Clinical description

• Start ART as soon as possible after testing positive.
• Offer pregnant women to start ART on the same day of diagnosis.
• Confirm that patient (or parent/guardian if patient is <15 years) understands implications of ART

and is committed to lifelong adherence.

• Identify long-term treatment support for patients who are unable to take responsibility for their

own treatment (persons with mental disability or drug-addiction, etc.).

• Identify 2 or more guardians for all children to support adherence and retention.
• Ask all patients to attend the initial group counselling and/or the ART initiation visit with a named

guardian/treatment supporter.

o Another patient can be appointed as the named treatment supporter if the patient is unable to identify a suitable guardian.