Abstract

Viral load monitoring was the cornerstone of effective HIV treatment, guiding antiretroviral therapy optimization, 
identifying treatment failure, and preventing the emergence of drug resistance. However, access to conventional 
laboratory-based viral load testing remains limited in many resource-constrained settings due to infrastructural, 
logistical, and economic barriers.This narrative review critically examined point-of-care viral load monitoring 
technologies as an alternative strategy for improving HIV management in resource-limited settings. 
A review of peer-reviewed scientific literature was conducted, synthesizing evidence on the biochemical principles, 
clinical performance, and implementation considerations of point-of-care viral load technologies. Point-of-care viral 
load platforms offered rapid turnaround times, reduced dependency on centralized laboratories, and improved 
linkage between diagnostic results and clinical decision-making. These technologies demonstrated acceptable 
analytical performance for routine HIV monitoring and have the potential to enhance treatment adherence 
assessment and early detection of virologic failure. Nevertheless, challenges related to cost, supply chains, quality 
assurance, and workforce capacity continue to influence their scalability and sustainability. Point-of-care viral load 
monitoring represented a transformative approach to HIV care in resource-limited settings, provided that 
implementation is supported by robust health systems integration and policy alignment.