PLHIV protest shortage of ARV drugs
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 22 2023:
People Living with HIV (PLHIV) came out in protest against shortage of Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in the State donning black badges today.
Today was day 3 of the agitation launched by people living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) .
Donning black badges they staged a demonstration at Nongmeibung Nambram Chuthek.
They may continue and intensify the agitation until the ARV drugs are made available, said the agitators.
Meanwhile, Imphal East Network of Positive People (IENP+), Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) and Kanglei People Against Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (Kanglei PANAS) have voiced their anger at the State Government for not maintaining enough stock of the ARV drugs.
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Imphal East Network of Positive People (IENP+), in a statement, said the people living with HIV have been staging sit-ins since February 20 against shortage of ARV drugs in Manipur.
It said the PLHIV held a talk with the Health Minister at his residence at Lamphelpat today, however it was not conclusive.
The Health Minister did assure that there will be no shortage of ARV drugs in the future.
However, the meeting could not come to a specific conclusion that addresses the interest of the PLHIV on ART (antiretroviral therapy), said IENP+ .
While appreciating the Health Minister for inviting them for a talk and showing his concern for the people living with HIV, the IENP+ said the agitation will continue until the required monthly doses of ARV drugs are in the hands of those who need them.
Until the drugs are in the hands of the PLHIV, the agitation may take different forms and intensify, it said.
The Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) and Kanglei PANAS too appealed to the Government and MACS (Manipur State AIDS Control Society) to make the ARV drugs available urgently and maintain adequate stock.
CADA said, there are more than 13,000 people living with HIV on ART (antiretroviral therapy) in Manipur and as such, the Government should ensure that they get the required drugs.
The Government should ensure that there is always 6 months worth stock of ARV drugs, it said.
If the stock is not maintained urgently and the shortage continues, then the Government must be held responsible for all eventualities that follow, said CADA.