The marriage of science and optimized HIV care in resource-limited settings

Large-scale HIV management in resource-limited settings has been remarkably successful in a relatively short time frame. Once combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) became more universally available, national treatment programs were able to provide much of the needed therapy which was originally prioritized towards patients with the most advanced and symptomatic disease. At the time, it was thought that comprehensive laboratory monitoring for safety and efficacy was either unavailable, too expensive or would detract from the focus of providing life-saving treatment to as many individuals who needed it as possible.