Universal access

[Guest guest]

Dear forum

What universal access goal transpires that every person living with HIV should

be getting comprehensive services covering all aspects pertaining to care and

treatment, but where are these people, on whom all efforts related to universal

access are going to be targeted. Currently only 10% of people living with HIV in

our country know that they are infected so what does provision of universal

access actually means in real terms. We all are talking about what and how to

mobilize all resources to achieve universal access to all persons living with

HIV, but we do not know to whom all these resources will be addressed. Are we

all not beating around the bush, when there is no bush?

In my opinion to achieve the target of universal access, we should immediately

target on upgrading the testing facilities. We have a huge shortage of number of

VTCTs.

Firstly we have to increase the number of testing facilities and increase the

uptake capacity of existing centres simultaneously.

Secondly can we identify all HIV positive people with current set of guidelines

(mandatory pre test and post test counseling) practiced at VTCT centres. Do we

need to modify the current guidelines and adopt other testing approaches to

identify all people living with HIV, so that universal access could actually be

put into perspective? It is really a very sensitive and volatile issue and we

need very elaborate discussions with all the stake holders especially with PLWHA

and Positive people associations. All over world people are reveiwing guidelines

now.

May be our forum can also initiate a discussion on this aspect.

Regards

Dr. Alok Vashishtha M.D.

Consultant in HIV/AIDS Medicine

Nirmal Medical Foundation,

S-43, Shivalik Nagar,

Hardwar (Uttarakahand)

Cell: 9897265635

e-mail: <dralokvashishtha@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

Re: /message/7146

I completely agreed with Dr.Alok that we should and must scale up testing

facilites/VCTC/ICTC, to achieved UA.And we need to find out the missing 90%.

Few ideas to achieved UA to treatment:

we have to set an abitious target (NACO's 300,000 is too less). It should be

minimun between 6-800,000 by 2010.

If our target is between 6-800,000 by 2010, what are our milestones each year

for the next 3years.

How much will this cost? Where do we get? How do we get? How much can the Indian

government can commit and how much can we mobilised from donors.

Our government/politician are the signatories of UNGASS UA declaration.

I want to see those statement and declaration reflected in budgetry allocation

and expenditures.

Loon, DNP+

e-mail: <dnpplus@...>