Anti-retroviral therapy centre opens at AIIMS-P

Patna: A new Anti- Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centre was inaugurated at AYUSH building on the AIIMS Patna premises on Thursday, expanding HIV/AIDS treatment access in Bihar and taking the total number of ART centres in the state to 35.The facility is expected to strengthen the state’s healthcare network by offering treatment, counselling and follow-up services for people living with HIV under one roof. It will also ease pressure on existing centres and improve access to specialised care for patients from Patna and nearby districts.Sumit Kumar, project director of Bihar State AIDS Control Society, said, “Expanding accessible and stigma-free HIV treatment facilities is essential to strengthen care services. The new centre will play an important role in improving advanced treatment and support for patients.”(Brig) Dr Raju Agarwal, executive director-cum-CEO of AIIMS Patna, said the initiative reflects the institute’s commitment to inclusive, accessible and patient-centric healthcare. He emphasised that HIV/AIDS should be treated purely as a medical condition, without discrimination or social exclusion.Dr Jyoti Prakash, nodal officer of the ART Centre and head of general medicine, said the facility would ensure timely treatment, regular monitoring, counselling and a better quality of life for patients.Speakers at the event underlined the need for coordinated efforts among healthcare institutions, government agencies and society to build an inclusive, discrimination-free environment for people living with HIV.The inauguration was attended by faculty members, healthcare workers, nursing officers, administrative officials and staff from AIIMS Patna and BSACS.