Manipur: Public Interest Litigation for CD4 machines

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Manipur: MNP petitions for more CD4 machines

Imphal, Aug 11: The Manipur Network of Positive people has filed a

Public Interest Litigation to provide at least two CD4 machines in

each of the four hospitals which have the Anti-Retroviral Therapy

roll out programme.

Represented by its president and general secretary MNP filed the PIL

today before the Imphal bench of the Gauhati High Court.

The case might be listed soon, said Advocate M Rakesh who will

appear on behalf of MNP.

The PIL contended that People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) having

CD4 count of more than 500 are to be tested every 6 to 12 months.

For those having CD4 counts between 350 and 500, the test is to be

conducted every three to six months and when the count falls

further, monthly or tri-monthly tests should be conducted to assess

the progress of the disease as well as the effectiveness of the

machines.

At the moment, four hospitals have one CD4 count machine each.

The four hospitals, are, RIMS, JN Hospital and District hospitals at

Ukhrul and Churachandpur.

Sometimes the machines run out of order, added the PIL.

The number of CD4 count machines cannot cater to the needs of the

PLWHA numbering 23,086.The CD4 count machines can give the result of

the test for only 10 to 15 patients in a day thereby inconveniencing

the others who need to undergo the test, said MNP.

The PIL argued that the right to HIV/AIDS treatment is found not

only in the right to life of the Indian Constitution under Article

21 but is also incorporated in international laws.

Failure to provide adequate number of CD4 machines for PLWHA

tantamounts to depriving their fundamental rights, argued MNP Citing

the judgements of the Supreme Court that every person has the right

to life as well as right to health, the PIL said that the Govt in

case is constitutionally bound to ensure that the CD4 machines are

available adequately.

The listed respondents in the case include the Union Ministry of

Health through its Secretary, NACO, the State Government though its

Health Commissioner, MACS and RIMS.

http://www.e-pao.net/GE.asp?heading=5 & mx= & src=120806

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Re: Manipur: Public Interest Litigation for CD4 machines

Bravo MNP we wish you all success. If it is permissible then please post more

details or contact addresses so that the same method can be replicated in other

states.

Regards

Amitava Mookerjee

e-mail:<rotary3290@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear forum,

Greetings from MNP+

Thanks for the encouragement. We filed the PIL on 11th August to the Gauhati

high court ( Imphal Bench) with the help of Mr. M. Rakesh Legal Officer of Human

Right Law Network. And we are waiting for the day of Motion. once the court fix

the date . more interesting part will be comming. So we will be updating more

once it is process.

Regards

Deepak Leimapokpam

President

Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+)

Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai

P.O. Imphal 795001, Manipur, India

Phone 0385-2440828/469/2454031

E-mail- mnpplus@..., mnpplus_145@...