Starting antiretroviral (ARV) treatment the same day as testing positive for HIV, known as same-day treatment initiation, has been shown to maintain patients’ engagement with treatment plans as well as enhance viral suppression. In addition, strategies that allow patients to receive ARVs for longer refill periods not only increases patient adherence to ARV treatment, but also reduces the number of patients who discontinue treatment.

In December 2017, the Vietnam Administration for HIV/AIDS Control (VAAC) updated the national care and treatment guidelines to include same-day treatment initiation and longer ARV refill periods to improve treatment retention. USAID’s Sustainable HIV Response From Technical Assistance (SHIFT) Project recently helped VAAC finalize a training curriculum as well as tools that support the implementation of these crucial strategies. In June, the curriculum and tools were used at training workshops in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to equip 87 health officials and health care providers from 24 HIV treatment facilities with the skills needed to implement same-day treatment initiation and facilitate longer ARV refill periods.

So what? Implementation of these innovative approaches makes it easier for patients to enroll in treatment early and stay in treatment and reach viral suppression, ultimately improving treatment outcomes and contributing to epidemic control.