Kathmandu, July 1:

National Centre for AIDS and STD Control is all set to establish its Anti-Retro Viral (ARV) Service and Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) centres throughout Nepal to provide service to the HIV-infected.

Dr Rajendra Pant, deputy director of the NCASC said, “We are planning to expand our ARV service in all the 14 zones and VCT in 75 districts. “The NCASC is providing ARV and VCT service in nine zones.”

“We have already conducted site assessment in Mechi and will provide ARV service very soon.” “Within three months, we will begin providing ARV services in Sagarmatha, Janakpur, Rapti and Karnali zones.”

According to Dr Pant, there are 780 patients availing themselves of ARV service. The NCASC aims to provide this service to 2,500 by the end of this year, he said.