LARKANA: The Viral Load Test (VLT) facility has been provided to the HIV positive patients with the assistance of National AIDS Control Program (NACP), Islamabad. This was revealed by the Incharge, HIV/AIDS Treatment & Care Centre, Larkana, Dr. Hola Ram here on Tuesday. The Centre is working since years in Chandka Medical College Hospital. The affected patients will have to come to the Centre here, get a form which will be filled by me and the test will be made free of cost at any of the Aga Khan Laboratory in Sindh, said Dr. Hola Ram, adding this facility will start from July 01, 2017 onward. Dr. Ram further said that previously each patient was asked to go to Karachi for the said test which is mandatory due to which many of them defaulted as they were unable to bear the high costs of traveling and tests being very poor. He said each patient requires this vital test six-monthly or annually depending upon his/her condition. He said fresh researched drugs will also be provided to the positive patients free of cost. Sources disclosed that cost of the test will be paid by the WHO through Global Fund for the benefit of needy affected patients and Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has provided this test facility on no-profit-no-loss basis as the kit costs them Rs 5000 and they will charge Rs 1500 more for other services. These sources further added that normally each test is charged at Rs 27,500 by private laboratories and AKUH. Published in Daily Times, June 21st, 2017.