AIDS treatment messages

[Guest guest]

This is in response to the letters from Maithreya and Dr Umesh:

Yes; it is time to change the propaganda that AIDS is not treatable

Unfortunately even many medical teachers and doctors continue to belive HIV

in not treatable and it is not worth spending time and resources on HIV.At

the same time we are ready to spend time, money and emotions for diseases

which are not even treatable.

Now the NNRTI based HAART regimens are not very expensive in comparison to

many other chronic disease(1300/month=Rs45/day) (provided; the person has a

regular source of income.)

The message we should try to spread is

1 HIV is preventable and prevention is always better.

2 HIV is treatable and it can be treatable by any well informed doctor.

3.HIV is not curable yet.

4.PLWHAs are part of the society there are to integrated with the society.

At the same time we should not be too optimistic. We(even developed

countries)have only 6 years experience with HAART-Developing countries does

not have an affordable second line HAART available. As more and more

medicines are marketed , there is more and more misuse and we are bound to

have more and more resistant strains.Studies from the west shows that only

50%-60% of patients on HAART respond well to the treatment(due to various

reasons).

We should be able to put pressure on the Drug companies to make at least

one second line medicine cheaper. We cannot expect them to produce medicines

without taking profit.We should be able to convince them about very huge

market.

We have NACO,NGOs ,activists,NACO,hospices, Drug companies,hospitals ,groups

of positive individuals etc in India. But unfortunately all these groups work

inside their own circles.I even feel that there is some element of mistrust

between many of these agencies and groups.

It is time we all come together and plan a comprehensive action plan

(including treatment) for facing the challenge of care and support of HIV.

It is time to have an attempt from medical persons (Doctors and para-medical

personals) which can formulate the care and support strategies for India

this should be done not only at the national level but at grass root level

also.

I don't think NACO/AIDS cells/SACS which are Govt. agencies for all

practical purpose can and will do much in this direction.

Dr Ajithkumar.K

E-mail:<trc_ajisudha@...>

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