ARV 'Roll out' program to be launched on April 1

March 31, 2004

AIDS treatment programme to be launched on April 1

JOHNSON T A

TIMES NEWS NETWORK [ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2004 12:41:13 AM ]

BANGALORE: The model code of conduct will be a hindrance when the free

anti-retro viral drug treatment programme for one lakh HIV/AIDS patients gets

underway on April 1.

Contrary to the original plan, treatment will now begin with just 25 patients at

seven centres across the country.

Union health ministry officials have directed state officials to make a low

profile beginning before gradually scaling it up to involve around 1,000

patients, sources said. Doctors and medical staff who will participate in the

programme have been training in specialised centres across the country since

mid-February.

Under the plan, announced on World Aids Day 2003, free drugs will be made

available to patients in the six states with the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS

— Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Manipur and Nagaland.

Diagnosis for treatment will also be provided free of cost. The treatment

otherwise comes for Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,000 a month.

The project's aim is to stimulate an `it-is-treatable attitude' in people. It

hopes to cater to about one lakh patients in 2004 and add 15 to 20 per cent new

cases in the next five years.

For Karnataka, doctors from the department of medicine at Bangalore Medical

College will initially cradle the programme. " To begin with, we have identified

around 50 to 60 patients who have come to us but who could not afford treatment.

One of the main criterion while choosing patients is to understand if they will

adhere to taking the drugs for the rest of their lives, " says a doctor from

Bowring Hospital.

For people living with HIV/AIDS, the programme offers a new lease of life. " It

is a very welcome move but has to be implemented well. We already have patients

from various parts calling to enquire how they can avail of the free treatment, "

says Elango Ramachandran, president of the Karnataka Network of Positive People.

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