Lack of access to treatment for Side effects due to ART

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

In India around 1,75,000 People Living with HIV take ART in the Government ART

Centres. Due to ART, there are many positive aspects for improving the quality

of life of PLHA. In spite of those positive aspects, the PLHA on ART face

difficulties due to side effects.

 

I like to share my own experiences of taking ART for the past 4 years & 6 months

in Bowring Hospital, Bangalore. Before starting ART, my blood sugar level is in

the border line and after taking ART gradually there is an increase in my blood

sugar level.

After consulting, I found there are possibilities of ART drug induced diabetes.

Now I am in insulin medication and I have done lipid profile in private lab. My

cholesterol level in the blood is high (472 as per the report) and my doctor who

monitors my diabetes problem advised me to take fibrator tablets to control the

cholesterol level in the blood.

My doctor said that the high cholesterol level in blood can lead to cardiac

problems. When I approached the ART centre for insulin and tablets for

cholesterol, they refused to provide and told me that no ART centre will provide

insulin and cholesterol tablets free of cost for PLHA on ART.

 

There is no doctor specialized to treat diabetes available in the Hospital to

take care of the PLHA on ART and there is denial of treatment from the Medical

Officer in providing insulin and tablets for PLHA on ART. There are around 2% to

3% PLHA on ART having diabetes and many people are facing the lipid profile

problems.

As the cholesterol control tablets costs Rs.13 per day and insulin (one vile

human mixed start) costs Rs.160, many of our friends having similar problem

suffers and they are not in a position to take diabetes medications from private

sectors.

 

We bring this issue to the notice of NACO to understand the seriousness of the

issue and take steps accordingly for betterment of the lives of PLHA on ART.

 

Elango Ramachandar   

Bangalore

E-MAIL: <elangoraam@...>