Sadhana Jadon questioned that on one hand government rightly says that it wants to reduce "Lost to Follow Up" - that is, when people discontinue HIV treatment in-between. But on another hand, government itself is creating a situation like stockouts of medicines that will make it very difficult for people to adhere to the lifelong treatment."
Jai Prakash, who is part of DNP Plus team, said that "government is asking us to check files that why are so many people becoming "Lost To Follow Up" so we are supposed to visit them and try to bring them back to HIV care. But are these people in the government doing their work earnestly and sincerely? We have been raising the issue of drug stockout since past five months, we met the officials, wrote emails, called them on phone, but now we are so fed up and frustrated. Some people even had to sell their household valuables to purchase medicines from the private sector.
"We are not asking for alms but our right to seek healthcare and treatment. We are not begging, but demanding what is due to us - lifesaving medicines. They treat us as if they are doing an obligation by giving some medicines for few days only," added Jai Prakash.
Priya, who is part of Love Life Society, said that "One of the responsibilities of National AIDS Control Organization is to ensure uninterrupted supply of antiretroviral medicines for people living with HIV across the country. It exists to do this work among other responsibilities. At least they must do their part honestly."
India has estimated 2.1 million people living with HIV. If government has to deliver on the promise of ending AIDS by 2030, then it is vital to ensure that every person living with HIV receives antiretroviral therapy and remains virally suppressed - so that undetectable equals untransmittable becomes a reality. We can end AIDS now as we have the proven tools and approaches that work.
Bobby Ramakant - CNS (Citizen News Service)
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