'ART second line medicines unavailable at ART centres'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 05 2022: Patients who are undergoing Antiretroviral therapy (ART) are going through a difficult phase owing to insufficient stock of medicines in ART centres in the State.

The above issue was highlighted during a press conference held at the office of CoNE at Hodam Leirak today organised by CoNE, ART patients and their family members.

Addressing the media persons, president of CoNE, RK Nalinikanta informed that as per the NACO report, there are more than 13,000 ART medicine users in the State but since the last week of April this year, they are facing inconveniences owing to unavailability of ART second line medicines at State ART centres and NGO centres.

Expressing serious concern over the issue, he sought immediate attention of the State Government to provide the required medicines at the earliest considering the plights of those who are taking ART medicines.

One of the ART medicine user who was present at the press meet narrated their ordeal and said that 'due to unavailability of ART second line medicines at the designated centres across the State, they are being given the ART first line medicine and sometimes expired ones which is really unfortunate' .

Therefore he urged the Chief Minister and Health Minister to probe the matter at the earliest and to alleviate the problems.

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