Access to HIV treatment in Bihar is set to become significantly easier with the state government’s plan to open five new Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centres by the end of the year. These centres will provide comprehensive care, including medication, testing, and counselling, all under one roof.
Currently, Bihar has 29 ART Centres operating across 26 districts, but patients from some areas still travel to other districts to collect their medication. With the addition of these new centres, the total will rise to 34, greatly improving local access for patients.
ALSO READ: Delhi Teen Hospitalised After Being Stabbed During Rs 350 Robbery In Kabir Nagar; 4 Arrested
Since 2021, the state has expanded HIV treatment facilities, opening 15 new ART Centres. Link ART Centres have also been established in districts without full ART facilities, ensuring patients receive timely care.
The upcoming centres will be located at major medical institutions, including AIIMS Patna, IGIMS, NMCH, ESIC Medical College Bihta, and Mata Gujri Medical College in Kishanganj. Officials say these locations will benefit not only patients in Patna but also those in border and remote districts.
ART Centres offer more than just medication. They provide regular blood tests, medical consultations, psychological support, and treatment for opportunistic infections such as TB. Special attention is also given to preventing mother-to-child transmission by monitoring HIV-positive pregnant women and newborns.
Dr Rajesh Sinha, Deputy Director of the Bihar State AIDS Control Society, said the government’s goal is to make treatment accessible to every patient. “The opening of new ART Centres will ease the journey for people living with HIV, enabling them to lead healthier, more confident lives,” he added.