IENP+ suspends stir over ARV medicine scarcity
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 23 2023:
Imphal East Network of Positive People (IENP+) has suspended its agitation launched to protest scarcity of ARV medicine following an agreement reached with the state government during a meeting held with health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan on Thursday.
During the meeting, the government assured to make available Abacavir and Lamivudine at ART centres to address the immediate need, and for this MACS partner NGOs Forum (MPNF) will provide 40 bottles of ARV medicine.
MACS agreed to provide 110 bottles for the time being and also to ensure adequate availability of medicines from February 27 onwards.
The authority also agreed to refrain from substituting medicines for adults with children's doses, which the authority has been doing due to stock depletion of the adult dose.
They also agreed to conduct regular meetings between the minister and stakeholders such as MACS, CBOs and NGO partners among others.
Representatives of SASO, Kripa Society, CoNE, Care Foundation, USER Manipur, NGO Forum, PD-MACS, APD-MACS, DD (SI) MACS and CSD Division - MACS also attended the meeting.
IENP+ expressed gratitude to the NGOs as well as other CSOs like CADA, Kanglei PANAS, Khwai Lalloi Marup and several individuals, who supported the agitation.
It also warned of resuming the stir if the authority fails to translate the assurance into action.
It further appealed to HIV patients to visit their respective ART centres for receiving their medicines.