PLHIV suffer as state runs out of ART stock
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 26 2022:
While expressing that the objective to eradicate HIV/AIDS by 2030 wouldn't be possible if adequate stock of ART could not be maintained, Community Organisations/NGOs lamented that People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) are in dire straits due to non-availability of ART drug in the state since last week of April.
Speaking in press conference organised jointly by CoNE, ADUM, Kripa Foundation, Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+), Care Foundation, Imphal West Positive Network, Imphal East Positive Network and Thoubal District Positive Network at the Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai office of MNP+ office on Tuesday, Imphal East Positive Network secretary Kangabam Anandi cited report of the NACO that there are around 14,000 people using ART in Manipur as part of the government policy to provide ART free since December 2004 with the stated objective to eradicate HIV within 2030 .
Even though ART users have taking the medication regularly with the firm resolve to contribute their mite towards realisation of the objective the said drug could not be made available in 11 ART centres and two NGOs since April thereby putting the lives of 14,000 PLHIVs at stake, she said.
The secretary also confided that owing to cessation of ART supply, the designated centres are compelled to provide different medicines to the clients and urged the state government, health department and MACS to look into the matter and mitigate inconvenience faced by the
PLHIVs.
Anandi further cautioned that community organisations are prepared to launch intense protest if government fails to make available ART drug to the clients.