China Further Scaled up Free ART

On June 15, journalists were informed that the National Health and Family Planning Commission decided to revise the criteria for free ART and further expand the coverage of ART in China according to the latest technical standards published by WHO and the recommendations from the AIDS Clinical Expert Panel.

The National Health and Family Planning Commission recommended ART for all HIV-infected persons and AIDS patients. ART should follow the principle of voluntariness with adequate preparations to provide pre-ART counseling and exclude ART contraindications. HIV-infected persons and AIDS patients must not be provided with ART compulsively. CDCs and designated ART hospitals at all levels should further standardize ART management, improve ART adherence and outcome and reduce drug resistance.

Currently, China is implementing the "Four Frees and One Care" policy for HIV-infected persons and AIDS patients, including free ART and regular testing and surveillance. In 2012, the criteria for free ART were defined for HIV-infected persons and AIDS patients in China. In 2014, the criteria were revised according to WHO's Guidelines on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV Infection, expanding the coverage of ART clients. In 2015, WHO revised the criteria for ART again. Based on this revision, the National Health and Family Planning Commission decided to readjust the criteria for free ART in China and further expand the coverage of ART clients. (Source: Hu Hao, Xinhuanet, June 22, 2016)