Re: “Can I get ARV in Kachchh”?

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

The steady increase in HIV pandemic is alarming. More and more 'Care & Support'

facilities should come into existence to tackle this issue. Anti-retro Viral

Therapy is the pioneer in the management of HIV and there is a need to make it

accessible for everyone. It is really sad to know that the People Living with

HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) in Kachchh are finding it difficult to get an access to ARV.

The government facility is situated too far for them and new enrolments are also

stopped due to lack of stock.

In my view it is a time for the network to act and run a sort of facility where

ARV's would be accessible to PLWHA in their area.

Emcure Pharmaceuticals has realized its corporate social responsibilities and

has taken several initiatives in awareness/sensitization on HIV/AIDS issues for

minimizing the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS.

Emcure in association with NMP+ has established TAAL (a comprehensive pharmacy)

in January 2006. The pharmacy is devoted to PLWHA which caters to the medication

and counseling need of PLWHA. The drugs are dispensed at highly subsidized rates

to make it affordable to all class of clients. With just over 3 months of its

existence TAAL has clubbed a membership of 200 PLWHA.

Nearly 60% of PLWHA belongs to lower economic class and with their earnings it

is very difficult for them to manage the nutritional support along with the

costly medicines. TAAL has been formed to address this issue; it is providing

drugs at highly subsidized rates affordable to PLWHA. Emcure Pharmaceuticals as

corporate social responsibility initiated the act in collaboration with Positive

to achieve the common goal, ‘enhancing the quality of life of PLWHA’.

Emcure believes in social responsibility towards PLWHAs and to broaden the

activities it is willing to join hands with positive networks to start a

facility (ART) for PLWHAs which will ultimately help in achieving the common

goal, ‘enhancing the quality of life of PLWHA’.

Mrudul Patil

Executive Social Responsibilities

Emcure

e-MAIL: <mrudul_naturescope@...>