Progress of the National Pediatric Free Antiretroviral Therapy program in China

Abstract

In 2003, the Chinese Government initiated a free antiretroviral therapy (ART) program focusing on adult AIDS patients. Pediatric antiretroviral (ARV) formulations were yet unavailable. It was not until July 2005, with the initiation of a two-stage program implemented by the Chinese Ministry of Health, that pediatric formulations became accessible in China. Initially, the pediatric ART program was piloted in six provinces with the highest incidences of pediatric HIV/AIDS. The pilot stage allowed the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC) to finalize entry criteria, treatment regimen, and patient monitoring and follow-up procedures. The second stage commenced at the end of 2006 when the program was scaled-up nationally. In order to guarantee treatment of pediatric patients, extensive training in the selection of appropriate ARV drug regimen and dosage was provided to doctors, often through on-site collaboration with domestic and international experts. The CCDC simultaneously established a pediatric ARV management system and a pediatric ART information system. CD4 count and other laboratory tests are being routinely performed on these pediatric patients. By the end of June 2009, 1529 pediatric patients had received ARV under the national program. However, challenges remain. Firstly, many children infected with HIV/AIDS live in rural areas where the treatment quality is hindered by the limited number of medical facilities and skilled medical workers. Secondly, much of the pediatric ARV drug supply depends on donation. An effort needs to be made by the Chinese Government to establish China's own drug procurement and supply system.

Incidence and associated factors of pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV-infected children after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in China: a retrospective study

“…This treatment program, previously described (Zhang, Au et al, 2007;Zhang, Haberer et al, 2007, 2009Zhao et al, 2010Zhao et al, , 2011Zhao et al, , 2012, was established in July 2005 and provides free ART, free testing, and comprehensive care for HIV-infected children.…”

The changing epidemiology of the global paediatric HIV epidemic: keeping track of perinatally HIV‐infected adolescents

“…A study of those in the national ART programme before 2007 reported an 88% survival rate at five years of ART [45]. China's national programme had enrolled around 5100 children by 2009 [46], with 1600 on ART [23]. Although general surveillance data for children are inconsistent, Cambodia was treating 3600 and Vietnam 2000 children by 2009 [23].…”

Knowledge and perceptions of sexual and reproductive health and HIV among perinatally HIV-infected adolescents in rural China

“…In this study, we focused on studying PHIVA and conducted a cross-sectional study investigating sexual health knowledge among 233 HIV-infected adolescents living in Shangcai county, Henan province of China where the first pilot of National Free Pediatric ART Program (NPATP) was initiated in 2005 (Yan Zhao et al, 2010;Zhao et al, 2013). Most children were infected with HIV perinatally in mid-1990s, and thus by 2010, *Corresponding author.…”