National HIV Testing and Treatment Guidelines 2017: Nepal

Based on the WHO "Consolidated guidelines on HIV testing services" that recommend training lay providers in using rapid diagnostic tests, independently to conduct safe and effective HIV testing services, innovative service delivery approaches in "Nepal HlVision 2020" include intensified testing to reach key populations through facility-based outreach and community-led in-reach; linking testing to treatment.

Since the inception of Nepal's anti-retroviral treatment (ART) programme in 2004, under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, National Centre for AIDS and STD Control, the country has taken many measures to scale up ART with the objective of reaching everyone who needs treatment. Development of these "National HIV Testing and Treatment Guidelines 2017" is another milestone.

Following the directives of the National HIV Strategic Plan 2016-2021, these Guidelines support the Test, Treat and Retain continuum, based on the "WHO Consolidated Guidelines on the use of Antiretroviral Drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection", published in 2016. 'Test-and Treat' keeps infected people healthy and living longer, and dramatically reduces the risk of HIV transmission to others.