Mobile Care and Treatment Centers (CTC) – Bring ARVs to the most remote patients

Posted by erica on Monday, July 14, 2008 at 9:05 pm

In collaboration with Mrara District Hospital in Babati, SIC has piloted a mobile antiretroviral drug (ARV) clinic in Gallapo and Magugu wards.  We are bringing the district hospital’s Care and Treatment Center (CTC) to rural locations for people to access the free HIV/AIDS related services provided by the Tanzanian government.  The selection of these two initial wards was based on high concentrations of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) already enrolled in the ARV program. Additionally, other areas that are even farther from Babati town easily access these wards.

Many PLWHA in these areas do not regularly attend the monthly ARV clinic in Babati town because they do not have the means to get to the hospital. Even if SIC reimburses their bus fare, they do not live a reasonable walking distance from a road that is accessible to public transport. This pilot program brings a doctor, nurses, a lab technician, and a data manager from Mrara District Hospital as well as antiretroviral and Cotrimoxiline drugs (CTX) to Gallapo and Magugu monthly.  The follow-up by the hospital staff and our Community Health Workers has decreased the patient load on the district hospital’s weekly ARV clinic and increased the number of patients accessing the free, life-saving drugs in these two rural areas.  The pilot was so successful that we are in the process of setting up an additional mobile ARV clinic in a third ward, Mamire.

The following table shows the number of patients who attended the mobile CTC in May, June, and July.