In the first quarter of 2005, there were 4530 new patients started on ARV therapy in 34 health facilities in Malawi. Up until the end of March 2005, there were 17601 patients who had ever started on ARV therapy in these same 34 facilities. For the quarter and for the cumulative analysis, approximately 39% of patients were male and 61% were female, and approximately 95% were adults (13 years and above) and 5% were children. Of patients who ever started on ARV therapy, 81% were alive, 8% had died, 7% were lost to follow-up, 3 % transferred out and 1% had stopped treatment. Of those alive and on ARV therapy:- 98% were ambulatory; 91% were fit to work; 10% had one or more major side effects; and 95% based on pill counts showed 95% or more adherence to therapy. These qualitative results were similar to those obtained 3 months previously and are encouraging.