Title

SMARThivPack: A complexity free and cost effective “three tests” combo kit model to improving HIV patients monitoring standards in resource poor settings

Authors

Aboubakar Yari^1*, Frederic S. Passo¹, Jean-Pierre Hounyet²

Affiliation

¹Biotech tropicana, Inc, Parakou, Benin; ²Hôpital Saint-Jean de Dieu, Boko, Benin

Email

biotechtropicanainc@lycos.com; * Corresponding author

Article Type

Views & Challenges

Date

received October 23, 2007; revised Novemeber 04, 2007; accepted Novemeber 09, 2007; published online December 01, 2007

Abstract

We propose a second, implementation level cost and complexity reductions model for monitoring HIV patients in resource-limited settings: SMARThivPack, a “three tests” combo kit. Cost and complexity of HIV patient monitoring technologies were previously reduced at a first, technology development level. In developed countries, HIV patient clinical management programs comport in general three laboratory tests: CD4 count, viral load measurement and pharmacoresistance testing. Most developing countries performed only CD4 count. Cost and complexity of required technologies are the major challenges to the developing world to meeting the “three tests” standard. SMARThivPack model achieves the “three tests” standard in the developing world by optimizing technology choice as to favour cross-use of equipments, thereby reducing equipment cost at the laboratory implementation level. Equipment cross use also reduces complexity by reducing training time, promoting specialization and, substantiating experience in equipment use. The second level cost and complexity reductions model sets the grounds for a third level, global coordination cost and complexity reductions model.

Keywords

HIV monitoring guidelines; resource poor countries; cost and complexity; alternative technologies

Citation

Yari et al., Bioinformation 2(3): 97-100 (2007)

Edited by

P. Kangueane

ISSN

0973-2063

Publisher

Biomedical Informatics

License

This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.