Discontinuation of National Paediatric ART Program

[Guest guest]

Dear Moderator,

kindly publish this message at the group.

Positive People Goa joined to implement National Paediatric ART program in Goa

from 2007.

Till date we reached out 145 children living with HIV and they are linked to ART

centre. The project was supported by Clinton Foundation routed through Catholic

Relief Services.

Due to some unforeseen reasons, financial support to this project discontinued

from 30th July 2009. The Project ensured children were adhering and complying

with prescribed ARV regimen through providing treatment education, adherence

counselling, nutritional, travel support, referrals and regular monitoring of

children.

We heard that this national program has taken over by HIV alliance in some

states. Since Alliance has no program in Goa; they told they are unable to

support us. We also had approached Goa SACS but they informed that they are

unable to support this program due to lack of funds.

Phasing out of the project could evoke unprecedented impact on the life of

children living with HIV in Goa, such as poor adherence to ART and subsequent

drug resistance etc.

we have very limited resources to support the children. The most difficult part

was identification and registering children to ART centre. That part we

successfully done, however the follow up and identification of new children

became difficult as the project phased out.

we are sure that the clinton foundation has the detailed data of CLHIVs of

India. The data,protocol and monitoring systems developed by them are found

effective. It is very important Government or any service provider take up this

data and do the follow up.

The fact is that, although ART is free, many families affected with HIV are

unable to access this services due to lack of travel assistance,nutritioonal

support and treatment education.

We request the government/ any agency to take this program so that service to

the children are continued

" P.People " <ppeople64@...>