CoNE calls ART programme in state systemic failure
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 27 2023:
With shortage of ARV medicines becoming common phenomena in the state thereby exposing people on ART to risk of getting resistant to the drug, Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE) has dubbed ART programme, taken up by Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) under National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), as a complete failure in the state.
Addressing media persons at its Keishamthong Hodam Leirak office, here, CoNE president Nalinikanta informed that the ART programme was taken up in Manipur since 2004 and has been a life saver initiative for people living with HIV.
However, frequent cases of ART stock running out and shortage has not only crippled the noble initiative of the government, but has also has made many of the people on ART resistajit to the drug they are consuming compelling them to switch their regimens.
Citing cases of the issues faced by the people, Nalinikanta said that due to shortage of ARV drugs, people coming to get medicines at ART centres are provided medicines for a few days only (ranging from 3 to 12 days).
In addition, ARV drugs for paediatric use (30mg) are being given to adults who are supposed to be provided with 300mg on a regular basis, consequently com-day.
Despite NACO recommending multi-drug dispensing system across the country, Manipur is still unable to provide even a month's medication to patients while other states have started dispensing 3 months ARV medicines to patients.
There are about 13,688 people living with HIV (June 2022) who are taking ARV drugs in the state.
Among these, 13,096 of them are taking ARV drugs for 1st line, 575 for 2nd line and 17 for 3rd line ART.
It has been recorded that 85 per cent of them are administered ARV medicines with the combination of Tenofovir, Lamivudine & Dolute-gravir as first line drug while 15 per bination of Abacavir, Atazanavir/ Ritonavir and Lopinavir/Ritonavir as second line drug.
The second line drug is being administered to patients due to intolerance of the first line drug.
Though first line drug is not in shortage, the government is facing acute shortage of 2nd line drug which is a cause of serious concern.
However, MSACS has totally ignored the issue and acting as if there is no problem at all, stated Nalinikanta while cautioning that if this failed system continue people will have no option but to die ultimately.
He further informed that a person who was earlier on Tenofovir, Lamivudine & Dolutegravir regimen but switched to Abacavir, Atazanavir /Ritonavir and Lopinavir/Ritonavir regimen following rise in creatinine level was asked to reduce the creatinine level so that the patient could be again administered with Tenofovir which is in stock.
"This system of treatment being carried out defying all medical ethics, where a patient is forced to take medicine which is harmful to his/her body, is not a treatment at all but a crime carried out towards people living with HIV" .
Informing that ARV medicines are being dispensed for 15 days at ART centre RIMS while medicines for a maximum period of 12 days are being provided at JNIMS ART centre, Nalinikanta has urged the health minister and all concerned to intervene and take up necessary measures for resolving the issue at the earliest and save people living with HIV.
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