CD4 kits unavailable, NGOs cry foul
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 11 2013:
Main-taining that the unavailability of reagents or kits for testing CD4 count is sheer indifference to people living with HIV and utter irresponsibility on the part of NACO , SASO, Manipur Network of Positive People and Care Foundation have urged the Government of Manipur and NACO to ensure that CD4 test kits are available at the earliest.
Speaking to media persons at the office of MNP+, its president L Deepak said that CD4 test is crucial for people living with HIV.
Immune system of people living with HIV is determined based on CD4 count.
Whether ART is beneficial to a PLHIV or not can be ascertained from the result of CD4 test.
For all these reasons, it is essential for PLHIVs to undergo CD4 test regularly.
All PLHIVs under ART treatment should undergo CD4 count test after every six months.
CD4 test is a matter of life and death for PLHIVs and this test was conducted free of cost under the sponsorship of NACO.
However, kits or reagents necessary for CD4 count test have not been available in Manipur since the past two months.
Likewise, the kits are no longer available in the North Eastern States, UP, Maharashtra, Delhi and some other States.
CD4 test kits are not available because there is paucity of fund or shortage of staff in NACO.
There are many staff in NACO who are paid well to work on HIV and AIDS.
It is because of sheer negligence towards HIV positive people by NACO officials that CD4 test kits are not available, Deepak alleged.
For a period until NACO sends CD4 test kits to the State, the Government of Manipur should purchase the same kits.
The Government should respect the human value of around 40,000 PLHIVs living in Manipur and it should not forfeit their right to live in any manner.
He went on to question if the PLHIVs should starve to death when the World bank, global funding agencies and NACO refused to sanction any fund for them.
Certain amounts need to be earmarked for PLHIVs in the annual budget allocation for health sector.
Deepak said that they would be compelled to launch all sorts of agitation in case the Government of Manipur and NACO do not make necessary arrangements to make CD4 test kits available in the State at the earliest.
NACO selected M/S RITES Limited as the procurement agency for supplying CD4 test kits.
M/S RITES Limited stopped supplying CD4 test kits after the Ministry of Health did not renew its contract.