Kerala: Free treatment for HIV-infected in Govt hospital

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Free treatment for HIV-infected in Govt hospital

Express News Service. First Published : 19 Sep 2009 06:44:16 AM IST

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government has decided to provide free treatment

for HIV-infected people in all the Government hospitals. People who have

registered at the Ushus centres can avail themselves of this free treatment and

testing facilities.

The Ushus centres are set up by the Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS)

to extend anti-retroviral treatment.

The centres are functioning in five Medical Colleges and select Government

hospitals.

Till now, free treatment was available only for people in the BPL category.

However, the Government has now decided to provide this facility to all income

groups of HIV-infected people. The decision has been taken since it has been

found that majority of the HIV-infected are either jobless or come from a

background where they find it difficult to earn a living.

These patients have to conduct periodic tests as part of their treatment and

also require frequent hospitalisation.

Hence, the Government has come out with this scheme. Already, patients admitted

to the HIV wards in the Medical College Hospitals are given free food.

The number of HIV positives being registered in Ushus centres has gone up

compared to that of previous years. At present, 10,491 people have registered at

the Ushus centres, though the State has an estimated population of 55,167 HIV

positives. The increase in the number of registration is said to be the

after-effect of a decrease in the social stigma.

The Government has notified that only those who have registered in these centres

will be eligible for free treatment.

Apart from this, the Government already provides concession in train ticket

fares for these patients.

Apart from the Medical College Hospitals, the Ushus centres are also functioning

at the General Hospital, Ernakulam, and District Hospital, Palakkad.

The centres provide various services to HIV positives in the State.

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