Dimapur | July 6 : The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) is in the process of finalising the fourth phase of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP-IV). Expected to be launched in April 2012, NACP IV will define India’s response to HIV & AIDS over the next five years. It is NACO’s flagship programme in the battle against HIV & AIDS implemented over a five-year plan period.
The fourth phase is widely touted to be inclusive and focused on the marginalised, weaker sections and hard-to-reach population; while adopting an inclusive, participatory and consultative approach similar to that of the ongoing NACP-III.
Notwithstanding the humane intention of the NACP, the PLHIV (People Living with HIV & AIDS) of Dimapur are going through hard days. Since March of this year, the district’ Antiretroviral therapy (ART) centre is running short of the drugs. The lives of around 1200 PLHIV are dependent on the ART drugs routed through this centre at present.
On Wednesday, PLHIVs voiced their discontentment in front of the district ART centre, mainly targeted at the NACO’s rather indifferent attitude. NACO, it was learned directly supplies the ART drugs to the respective ART centres across the country.
‘Efaverinz’ – one of the three main drugs of the ART regime has run out of stock, they said. “Standard antiretroviral therapy (ART) consists of the use of at least three antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to maximally suppress the HIV virus and stop the progression of HIV,” states the World Health Organisation. The drugs are required to be taken on a daily basis, without gap; otherwise the body will develop resistance.
Many of the PLHIVs are going without this vital combination for the past several days.
“Give us the reason atleast, why it is not being provided… if we don’t take on time, our bodies will become drug resistant… every dose of ART medicines are effective for only 12 hours,” said one of the members with anxiety in her tone. “Atleast provide us the medicine, even if they can’t provide other support,” voiced another. “I’ve a right to live but where will I go? Do I have to steal or kill someone to get my medication?”
The PLHIV also demanded from the NACO to route the drugs through the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society, to avoid such predicaments in future. They disclosed that the their effort to contact the NACO since March have gone to deaf ears.
ART drugs are currently not available in the open market. In Dimapur, CIHSR and ZHRC are the only other private undertakings where the drugs are available. A month’s course of the drugs will cost an individual roughly Rs. 4000 plus.
Medical Officer, ART Centre, Dimapur Dr. Hutuka Hesso confirmed the shortage of the drugs. “We’re short of the tablet Efaverinz, one of the main ART drug, for the last two months.” He said that the centre has been compelled to source the drugs from other ART centres in the state, which too largely depends on the quantity of the stock. It was disclosed that the centre has written to the NACO on a number of occasions in the past months. “But so far there has been no response,” he said.
The centre was informed of a consignment of the drugs reaching yesterday (Tuesday) but it has not, still. He though added that he had last contacted the regional director (north east) of the NACO on Tuesday. A shipment is expected via Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday. Another batch of the drugs is also from the Tuensang ART centre, the MO said.
The fourth phase is widely touted to be inclusive and focused on the marginalised, weaker sections and hard-to-reach population; while adopting an inclusive, participatory and consultative approach similar to that of the ongoing NACP-III.
Notwithstanding the humane intention of the NACP, the PLHIV (People Living with HIV & AIDS) of Dimapur are going through hard days. Since March of this year, the district’ Antiretroviral therapy (ART) centre is running short of the drugs. The lives of around 1200 PLHIV are dependent on the ART drugs routed through this centre at present.
On Wednesday, PLHIVs voiced their discontentment in front of the district ART centre, mainly targeted at the NACO’s rather indifferent attitude. NACO, it was learned directly supplies the ART drugs to the respective ART centres across the country.
‘Efaverinz’ – one of the three main drugs of the ART regime has run out of stock, they said. “Standard antiretroviral therapy (ART) consists of the use of at least three antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to maximally suppress the HIV virus and stop the progression of HIV,” states the World Health Organisation. The drugs are required to be taken on a daily basis, without gap; otherwise the body will develop resistance.
Many of the PLHIVs are going without this vital combination for the past several days.
“Give us the reason atleast, why it is not being provided… if we don’t take on time, our bodies will become drug resistant… every dose of ART medicines are effective for only 12 hours,” said one of the members with anxiety in her tone. “Atleast provide us the medicine, even if they can’t provide other support,” voiced another. “I’ve a right to live but where will I go? Do I have to steal or kill someone to get my medication?”
The PLHIV also demanded from the NACO to route the drugs through the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society, to avoid such predicaments in future. They disclosed that the their effort to contact the NACO since March have gone to deaf ears.
ART drugs are currently not available in the open market. In Dimapur, CIHSR and ZHRC are the only other private undertakings where the drugs are available. A month’s course of the drugs will cost an individual roughly Rs. 4000 plus.
Medical Officer, ART Centre, Dimapur Dr. Hutuka Hesso confirmed the shortage of the drugs. “We’re short of the tablet Efaverinz, one of the main ART drug, for the last two months.” He said that the centre has been compelled to source the drugs from other ART centres in the state, which too largely depends on the quantity of the stock. It was disclosed that the centre has written to the NACO on a number of occasions in the past months. “But so far there has been no response,” he said.
The centre was informed of a consignment of the drugs reaching yesterday (Tuesday) but it has not, still. He though added that he had last contacted the regional director (north east) of the NACO on Tuesday. A shipment is expected via Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday. Another batch of the drugs is also from the Tuensang ART centre, the MO said.
India's Law amendment rattles HIV+ persons
Dimapur, July 6 (MExN): The proposal of the government of India to remove a clause for treatment of HIV/AIDS persons, ,in the Medical Treatment bill, has disturbed People Living With HIV AIDS who are calling the move a violation of Human Right to Life.
The Network of Naga People living with HIV/AIDS (NNP+) has condemned the statement of Union Minister for Health Gulam Nabi Azad about removing an important chapter concerning “Medical Treatment” for people living with HIV/AIDS.
“Removing the clause means depriving the Human Right to Life. According to agency report, ‘The minister stated the government would be removing the chapter on treatment from the bill. The chapter mandates the government to provide free of cost treatment to people living with HIV as well as free preventive services to protect people from contracting HIV’”, a note form the NNP+ stated today.
“Why is he proposing of removing the chapter of Medical Treatment? Being a Union Minister for Health Mr. Gulam Nabi Azad seems so ignorant about the health issue of People living with HIV and human rights to life. We strongly condemned his statement and demand his removal from office,” the organization stated.
The Network of Naga People living with HIV/AIDS (NNP+) has condemned the statement of Union Minister for Health Gulam Nabi Azad about removing an important chapter concerning “Medical Treatment” for people living with HIV/AIDS.
“Removing the clause means depriving the Human Right to Life. According to agency report, ‘The minister stated the government would be removing the chapter on treatment from the bill. The chapter mandates the government to provide free of cost treatment to people living with HIV as well as free preventive services to protect people from contracting HIV’”, a note form the NNP+ stated today.
“Why is he proposing of removing the chapter of Medical Treatment? Being a Union Minister for Health Mr. Gulam Nabi Azad seems so ignorant about the health issue of People living with HIV and human rights to life. We strongly condemned his statement and demand his removal from office,” the organization stated.
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