<scp>Same‐day</scp>and rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy in people living with<scp>HIV</scp>in Asia. How far have we come?
Chien‐Ching Hung, Nittaya Phanuphak, Chen Seong Wong, Dariusz P. Olszyna, Tae Hyong Kim
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a major public health issue, and the effectiveness of HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care varies, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is important to control the HIV epidemic and to optimize the health of people living with HIV; many guidelines now recommend ART initiation within 7 days of HIV diagnosis, with same-day initiation for people diagnosed with HIV who feel ready. Many countries in the Asia-Pacific region have already implemented or are moving towards implementation of rapid or same-day ART initiation. However, there are many obstacles and challenges to its implementation, which vary substantially across the region. This article summarizes the latest evidence on rapid and same-day ART initiation and discusses lessons learned and barriers to implementation in Asian countries, particularly focusing on Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, and the Republic of Korea.