Invitation: National consultation on feasibility of second line ART

[Guest guest]

National level consultation on feasibility of second line ART

Dear Friends,

In continuation with our previous communication on 'Second –Line Treatment' of

HIV; KIRAN Help line for Positive People supported by Voluntary Health

Association of Punjab and Human Rights Law Network are initiating national level

consultation on this subject. We would like to harness the collective wisdom of

all PLHAs and as well as those who are actively working in the field of

HIV/AIDS.

Once again we request you to send us an estimation of PLHAs who need

'second-line' ARVs from your District or State.

As per our estimation nearly 10% of all PLHAs who are currently on 'First-Line'

ART need 'Second-Line' therapy now or by the end of this year due to drug

resistance or treatment failure. Due to high cost of second line ART, many poor

people who are in urgent need of second line and cannot afford it may die due to

non-availability of these drugs from NACO supported ART centers.

Even in the National AIDS Control program Phase III (NACP-III) no funds have

been allocated for second line ART in its budget.

Therefore we need to think collectively and will have to find out mechanisms to

raise resources and make second line ARVs available as soon as possible in

Govt. supported ART centers under National ART Roll Out Program.

We would like to know about any constraining factors or areas of opportunity

that might be taken into account. Apart from the legal remedies we would like to

think about other methods of Advocacy not only with NACO Authorities but with

other organizations as well. Any other agenda you would like to incorporate may

be added as per your suggestions.

Main focus of deliberations will on following:

1. To think about strategies to make NACO cater to the needs of PLHAs;

2. Mobilizing new resources and Setting up new mechanisms.

You are invited to participate in this consultation to be organized jointly by

Voluntary Health Association of Punjab, Human Rights Law

Network on 21-22 July 2007 in New Delhi.

Kindly depute one person (someone already on second-line ART or someone

conversant with the whole issue is most welcome) from your organization/network

to attend this workshop.

It is requested that confirmation for the participation may be sent to VHAP by

E-mail <vhapunjab@...> before 10th of July 2007.

Intimation about the venue and program of consultations would be sent later.

With warm regards

Manmohan Sharma

Voluntary Health Association of Punjab

SCF 18/1 Sec-10 D

Chandigarh. 160011

Email: vhapunjab@...

Colin Gonsalves

Human Rights Law Network

576 Masjid Rd. 2nd Floor, Jang Pura,

New Delhi. 110014

Email: colin.gonsalves@...

Sarbjit Singh

KIRAN Help line: 0172-5016299

Email: kiran14206@...

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

Re: /message/7434

How long we can debate!! We all know that there are

patients who need 2nd line drugs.

First let us provide them 2nd line drugs.

At the same keep we should keep looking ways for ways

to improve accessability and monitoring of ARVs.

Best wishes

Naveet Wig

e-mail: <naveetwig@...>