Maharashtra: AIDS Patients now look for free treatment

August 24, 2009

August 24th, 2009 Patients suffering from AIDS need no longer worry about the

heavy expenses of treatment. National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) recently

stated before the Bombay high court that it would provide 'free of cost

appropriate' treatment to HIV positive patients in the state.

NGOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS have termed this development as a landmark

with the hope that it would ensure proper healthcare for HIV patients, including

that of easy access to first-line as well as second-line Anti Retroviral Therapy

(ART).

The treatment for AIDS patients will be made available by NACO through

Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society (MSACS).

NACO had made this statement before the High Court in response to the public

interest litigation filed by an NGO, Network of Maharashtra People with HIV.

" The high court disposed of our litigation, which had sought easy access to

second-line ART for HIV patients from the government, in view of the promise by

NACO to provide `free of cost', `appropriate treatment'. Thus, NACO has now

given commitment before the court to provide all necessary healthcare for HIV

patients, " Pravin Salunke of Pune Network of Maharashtra People with HIV told

Sakaal Times.

" Mumbai-based NGO Human Rights Law Network has provided legal assistance to us

for raising and fighting this case and we are thankful to them, " he said.

With first-line ART being available at several ART centres in the state, NGOs

have more concern for patients who need second-line ART drugs, which are

expensive and cannot be afforded by patients on their own.

As per the data available with Network of Maharashtra People with HIV, over 200

HIV positive patients in the state are in dire need of second-line ART drugs at

present.

Second-line ART drugs, given to patients whose bodies have become resistant to

first-line ART medicines, are available only at J J Hospital in Mumbai.

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