NACO, On 2nd Line ARV Do not Give out False Messages to US

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum Members,

Greetings from Positive Link Project

Love Life Society (Consortium of Marginalized people with HIV/AIDS)

in collaboration with AHF India Cares)

Our request to NACO: " DO NOT GIVE OUT FALSE MESSAGES TO US, WE HAVE LOST HOPE IN

YOU "

I am an AIDS Activist, on 2nd Line ARV supported by AHF India Cares,

accessing medicines under AIDS Activists Program.

I have my peers all over the country who are in need of 2nd Line ARV.

They are going to die due to non-availability of these drugs.

Our honorable health minister had announced on World AIDS Day,

December 1st 2007 that the government will roll out 2nd Line ARV all

over the country from April 1st 2007. But they have failed in doing

so.

NACO is doing pilot study on 2nd Line ARV instead of initiating roll

out in all Government ART centers. Second Line ARV has already

undergone research and trials and has been approved by Food and Drug

Control Authority (FDA- USA) and people in U.S and European Countries

are using these drugs for more than 15 years now.

Patients in India who are in need of these drugs are dying due to

delay by NACO. I urge the Forum members to kindly voice their support

in this regard. We have to collectively approach the health ministry

in explaining the urgent need to introduce 2nd line ART for PLHA's in

India.

In Solidarity

Francis

President

LLS (Consortium of Marginalized People with HIV/AIDS)

e-mail: <lovelifesociety@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear all

Re: /message/9167

Let me explain the issue as I have done so in this group earlier also. This

pilot is not to see efficacy of regimen of second line but to see the

operational issues including follow up and adherence .

The adherence to second line has to be 100% and not even 95% and this pilot is

to establish and fine tune the referral mechanisms and follow up in case of

default that may include home visit.

Two NACO teams including counsllors have visited homes of patients initiated on

second line ART(with consent), had FGD, individual interviews to understand

their constraints in adhering to second line regimen which involves viral load

testing and taking complex regimen of  7-9 tablets daily.

The pilot is already over and we are in process of training doctors and

counselors from 8 other centers as announced by Hon'able Health Minister. There

is no issue of false messages. NACO is commited to provide good quality Care and

Treatment services for PLHAs.

Dr B.B.Rewari. MD,FICP,FIACM,FIMSA,FGSI

Sr.Physician,Dr RML Hospital & National Programme Officer (ART)

National AIDS Control Organistion,

6th Floor, Chandralok Building,

36, Janpath, New Delhi-110001

Tel; 011-43616677,23731954(O)

Mobile ; 91-9811267610

Fax : 011-23731746

e-mail: <drbbrewari@...>