Effective Interventions to Improve Triangular Clinic Services.

The Editor

The manuscript titled “Challenges in the Area of Training and Prevention at the HIV Triangulation Clinic, Kerman, Iran”1 quoted some problems on triangular clinic in Kerman city. We would like to inform you about the changes made based on the evaluation. A series of valid criticism were made such as providing counseling and methadone therapy in the same place, and reporting unfriendly behaviors toward the patients. In response, we considered a suitable place in downtown to improve the accessibility of target groups, spending 1 billion Iranian Rials. In Addition, there was a turnover of staff, aimed to employ more interested staff in working with patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in order to reduce unfriendly behaviors towards clients. Another problem was the provision of adequate counseling such as training barriers and patients’ economic difficulties. We consulted relevant staff in positive club to consider appropriate training and supportive program for patients. In addition, we consulted authorities at the Kerman province level to enhance social supports with the aim of identification and meeting patients’ needs. This was undertaken through a committee under the supervision of the county department of planning. Furthermore, a purposeful interaction with the Imam Khomeini relief committee was conducted to solve the patients’ economic problems. Based on this collaboration, supportive activities were introduced such as low interest loan and provision of food baskets for various national occasions as gift. We suppose that these activities at least could solve a part of the problem as we find clients more content. However, this could be evaluated through another study.