HIV Care, Support & Treatment

How to find the HIV medical care you need?

You can find the HIV care provider in all the health centres across the country including the health information and service centers (HISC). However, once you are diagnosed with HIV you will have to meet with your designated VCT/HISC Counselors on a timely basis to keep your health status up to date by conducting the following test.

• You have to do your viral load testing every year to rule out the treatment outcome and any drug resistance.
• You have to do your CD4 count test at the time of diagnosis to rule out the overall immune system of your body. This is important to understand whether you have acquired new infection or late diagnosis.
• There are also some community-based organizations (CBOs) and Health Information and Service Centers (HISCs) located in major urban centers in the country to provide specialized care and support.

Who are HIV care providers?

In Bhutan, you will have an opportunity to deal and meet with any health professionals based on your need but for HIV and AIDS, we have a designated person to manage the People living with HIV.

The first person in contact will be the VCT focal person in the respective district hospital and then some will meet with the HISC Counselors located in major urban areas of Bhutan as described above. These are the group of health professionals trained specially to carry out HIV Counseling and Testing including follow up care and treatment.

The ART initiation for you will be carried out by the concerned medical doctors in the district hospitals but don’t worry you will be linked to the doctor by your VCT/HISC Counselors.

Those in Thimphu will directly deal with the Care, Support and Treatment (CST) Unit located in the JDWNRH for your routine care and treatment purposes. We have a dedicated team to help you out.

The VCT Counselors in Thimphu is located in Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital (GJPMCH) like any other setting across the country.

The VCT/HISC Counselors will also link you to the appropriate care and support system including the initiation of ART treatment. For instance, you will be linked to different medical specialists to overcome your health problem due to HIV and AIDS.

Take responsibility for your HIV/AIDS care and treatment

How can you work best with your health care team?

HIV treatment is most successful when you actively take part in your medical care. That means taking your HIV medications every time, at the right time, and in the right way; keeping your medical appointments, and communicating honestly with your health care provider. This can be achieved when you:

Keep all of your medical appointments

There are many tools you can use to help you remember and prepare for your appointments. You can

• Use a calendar to mark your appointment days
• Set reminders on your phone
• Download a free app from the Internet to your computer or smartphone that can help remind you of your medical appointments. Search for “reminder apps” and you will find many choices.

Be prepared for your medical appointments

Before an appointment, write down questions or concerns you want to discuss with your VCT/HISC counsellors and other health care provider. Be prepared to write down the answers you receive during your visit.

• If you can’t keep a scheduled appointment, contact your VCT/HISC Counselors to let them know, and make a new appointment as soon as possible.

Communicate openly and honestly with your health care providers

Your health care provider needs to have the most accurate information to manage your care and treatment more effectively.

Keep track of your medical services

You may have multiple health care providers working on your health care team. Keep records of your lab results, medical visits, appointment dates and times, medicines and medicine schedules, and care and treatment plans.

Update your contact information

Make sure your health care providers have your correct contact information (telephone number, address, and e-mail address) and let them know if any contact information changes.