Re: Healthcare providers object to CDC's call for routine HIV tests on all patients

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

In a project in AP, India, with a consortium of private medical

colleges, the partners have been asked to report all cases tested in

their Labs for HIV between Oct 2006 to Sep 2006 and the figure is a

whopping 47000. None of these patients have been counseled or even

informed that they were being tested for HIV.

None of those tested positive have received any post test counseling

since the facility for counseling does not exist in any of these

colleges, or have been given any support or advice.

Though NACO firmly states that pre and post test counseling is

mandatory for all clients opting for HIV screening these private

colleges have not even initiated the protocol in their institutes.

They are waiting for the government to provide them with counselors.

These colleges are now initiating CD4 testing for patients testing

positive irrespective of their clinical status. The colleges are not

equipped for initiating ARV or proper follow up, once the treatment

is initiated.

The situation is worrisome considering that AP has the highest

positive status in India. The clients are told about their status by

the clinicians or are simply refused treatment in the hospitals

because of physicians fear and stigma, saying something is wrong in

their blood. Considering the huge psychosocial impact a positive

diagnosis has on the patient, it is important that guidelines for

counseling are followed for every patient.

It is time that the nation made some stringent guidelines for private

providers and ensures that these guidelines are adhered to in the

interest of the community, otherwise we will end up with drug

resistance and other more difficult issues which the country can ill

afford.

Ratna

e-mail: <ratna_devi2002@...>