Strategies for the scale-up of antiretroviral therapy in South Africa through health system optimization.
In the face of the massive burden created by human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and other infectious diseases, developing nations must find ways to rapidly begin treatment for infected persons. Although infusions of personnel, supplies, and diagnostics would make a major contribution to expanding the capacity to treat these diseases, the lack of these resources creates a long-term challenge, and there is a need for additional approaches to spread effective interventions that can leverage existing resources and the much-needed infusions of new resources. This article describes one such approach-applied in several forms in South Africa-that aims to significantly increase the number of patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.
Barker
Pierre M
PM
Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Cambridge, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. pierre_baker@med.unc.edu
McCannon
C Joseph
CJ
Mehta
Nupur
N
Green
Cathryn
C
Youngleson
Michele S
MS
Yarrow
Justin
J
Bennett
Brandon
B
Berwick
Donald M
DM
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D003906:Developing Countries; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012424:Rural Population; D013019:South Africa; D014505:Urban Population
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents