By the end of December 2006, there were 103 facilities in Malawi in the public health sector delivering ART free of charge to HIV-positive eligible patients.

In the fourth quarter of 2006 (October to December), there were 12,253 new patients started on ART. For the quarter, 38% of patients were male and 9% were children (14 years and below). By the end of December 2006, there were 81,821 patients who had ever started on ART. For the cumulative analysis, 39% of patients were male and 7% were children (14 years and below).

Of 81,821 patients who ever started on free ART, their outcomes by end of December 2006 were as follows: 70% were alive and on ART at the site of registration, 11% had died, 9% were lost to follow-up, 9% had transferred out to another facility (and were presumably alive) and ~1% had stopped treatment.

Of 57,356 patients alive and on ART:- 97% were on the first line regimen, 3% were on an alternative first line regimen and a small number (148) were on a second line regimen. Of those alive and on ART, 98% were ambulatory; 96% were fit to work; 5% had one or more major side effects assessed during the month of December; and 93% of patients showed 95% or more adherence to therapy based on pill counts.

• 6-month outcome analysis on 10,608 patients starting free ART from 96 sites showed: 81% were alive (74% alive and on ART + 7% transferred out)
• 12-month outcome analysis on 7,871 patients starting free ART from 61 sites showed: 71% were alive (61% alive and on ART + 10% transferred out)
• 18-month outcome analysis on 5,477 patients starting free ART from 55 sites showed: 73% were alive (59% alive and on ART + 14% transferred out) • 24-month outcome analysis on 3,091 patients starting free ART from 20 sites showed: 70% were alive (55% alive and on ART + 15% transferred out)