Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centre
The Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centre at Indira Gandhi Government Medical College & Hospital (IGGMCH / Mayo Hospital), Nagpur, is a specialized government healthcare unit operated under the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and the Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society (MSACS).
It acts as a primary nodal center for HIV/AIDS diagnosis, treatment, counseling, and long-term care management for patients across Vidarbha and neighboring districts.
Core Services Provided
Free ARV Medications
Provides free long-term Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs to all registered People Living with HIV (PLHIV) under NACO's "Treat All" policy.
Diagnostic & Monitoring Tests
CD4 Count Monitoring and viral load sample testing to track immune health and treatment efficacy.
Routine blood panels and baseline investigations prior to initiating therapy.
Opportunistic Infection (OI) Management
Treatment and prophylaxis for co-infections such as Tuberculosis (TB), fungal infections, and severe bacterial illnesses.
Adherence & Psychosocial Counseling
Dedicated counselors educate patients on medication timelines, nutritional support, prevention of transmission, and psychological well-being.
PPTCT Services
Prevention of Parent-to-Child Transmission protocols to ensure HIV-positive pregnant women deliver healthy, HIV-negative babies.
Link ART Centers (LAC) Network
Coordinates with local peripheral health centers and district hospitals to distribute refill medications closer to patients' homes.
Operational Workflow
Registration & Testing
Patients referred from the Integrated Counseling and Testing Center (ICTC), OPDs, or casualty are registered confidentially.
Clinical Evaluation
Medical officers evaluate CD4 levels, check for opportunistic infections, and determine the appropriate First-Line or Second-Line ARV regimen.
Counseling Session
Counselors guide the patient on strict adherence (taking medicines daily without missing doses) to prevent drug resistance.
Free Drug Dispensing
Pharmacists issue a 1-to-2 month supply of ARV drugs along with necessary supportive medications.
Key Information
Cost
All consultations, diagnostic tests, CD4 monitoring, and ARV medicines are 100% Free.
Timings
Standard hospital OPD hours (8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday through Saturday).
Confidentiality
Strict patient privacy policies are enforced across testing, counseling, and medical record keeping.
