By the end of September 2005, there were 60 facilities in Malawi in the public health sector delivering ART free of charge to HIV-positive eligible patients. In the third quarter of 2005 (July to September), there were 7,784 new patients
started on ART. Up until the end of September 2005, there were 30,055 patients who had ever started on ART. For the quarter and for the cumulative analysis, 39% of patients were male and 61% were female, and 95% were adults (13 years and above) and 5% were children.
Of 30,055 patients who ever started on free ART, their outcomes by end of September 2005 were as follows: 77% were alive and on ART at the site of registration, 9% had died, 7% were lost to follow-up, 6 % had transferred out to another facility (and were presumably alive) and 1% had stopped treatment. Of 23,168 patients alive and on ART:- 97% were ambulatory; 93% were fit to work; 6% had one or more major side effects; and 92% based on pill counts showed 95% or more adherence to therapy.
A 6-month survival analysis was performed on 4,450 patients starting free ART from 32 sites between January–March 2005: 84% were alive (77% alive and on ART + 7% transferred out). A 12-month survival analysis was performed on
3,096 patients starting free ART from 15 sites between July–September 2004: 83% were alive (71% alive and on ART + 12% transferred out).