Re: Access to ART: The ground Realities. Reply to Dr. Rewari

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Dear Dr. Rewari,

Re: /message/10147

First of all I would like to sincerely thanking you and NACO for responding to

the concerns raised with my experience in the ART centre. I definitely agree

that the ART roll out program is going on successfully and has many success

stories.

 

Once I again, I would like to bring to your kind consideration, that I just

wrote about MY experiences on ACCESSING ART not the programme in general.

 

You would agree with me that in our country only minimum number of PLHIV have

writing skills (in English) and only minimum number of people know where to

write or raise the issues. I wanted to be part of this group to make better

enabling environment for everyone accessing ART.

 

Dr. Rewari as you said address proof is mandatory for NACO and INP+ is also

supporting. True, it may be because INP+ can access ART in the door step. But,

many people like me  move from place to place and corner to corner of this

country for livelihood and survival.

 

I agree there are LFU reported frequently, but as per my knowledge, LFU is not

because of lack of address proof, but due to lack of treatment literacy and

knowledge.

 

As you mentioned ICTC report is a must because many private labs cannot be

relied on for quality. For this I don't have answer, only YRG CARE can explain

about what quality testing facility they have!

 

And about the conversation between me and the ICTC counselor, as you mentioned

that I replied in the harsh /derogatory way.

Yes, I agree. But this was because he did not ask for the ICTC report, he asked

me for the AIDS report.

Communication and messages especially make a lot of difference in the

public sphere. However, my apologies to the Counselor for my derogatory response

through this forum.

 

At the same time I request all to keep the promise or systems equipped. (For eg,

ICTC being closed for whole week?)

 

Finally as you said, NACO have a mechanism for monitoring ART centers through a

network of Regional Coordinators, Consultants (CST), SACS & NACO officials.

 

I request you to provide details of those coordinators or make available those

details in the ART center. It will help people who have grievances or

suggestions so that they may be addressed appropriately.

 

Secondly, as you mentioned, the guidelines are developed in consultation with

networks and CIVIL societies. Those people are living on AIDS; I am taking about

involvement of people living with AIDS, who are raising voices for the community

 

Once again  MANY... MANY Thanks to NACO and you Dr. Rewari.

Regards,

Kumar

 

Kumar Nagarajan

e-mail: <kumarnagarajan86@...>