Goa: Free Drugs for AIDS Patients

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Free Drugs for AIDS Patients. 13 Detected With The Disease Each Month

The Times of India, Goa - Edition. Saturday, June 7, 2008

Preetu Nair / TNN

Panaji : HIV/AIDS patients in Goa have a reason to smile. The state government

is now in the process of introducing free second-line life saving antiretroviral

treatments (ART). Including drugs for opportunistic infections. However, the

medicines would be available only to those who seek treatment in government

hospitals or ART centres.

Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) has put up a proposal to the state

government requesting them to provide free second line antiretroviral treatment

drugs. “We have sent a proposal to the state government after this issue was

discussed in the executive council meeting on May 2,” said GSACS project

director Dr. Pradeep Padwal.

The NGO’s working towards better HIV/AIDS treatment and care have been pressing

for this from the state government, especially since National AIDS Control

Organisation (NACO) doesn’t provide free second-line anti-retroviral drugs.

Besides, in the year 2007, the HIV patients also didn’t get the drugs for

opportunistic infections free of cost, as GSACS didn’t receive any quotation

from suppliers.

“But from now on drugs for opportunistic infections would be supplied through

NACO and 75 percent of it would go to the ART centres,” said a GSACS official.

On an average 13 people per month are detected with HIV in the coastal villages

of Bardez, Tiswadi, Mormugao and Salcette alone and it would benefit not only

those infected with HIV and susceptible to opportunistic infections, but also

the 503 patients put on ART, besides the six AIDS patients put on second line of

treatment.

“The number of people in need of second –line treatment and opportunistic

infections drugs are only going to increase, making access to them a necessity

and not a luxury,” said Mahesh from an NGO.

However, if implemented immediately, the government would have to spare at least

Rs. 12 lakh a year, for the six patients who have been put on second line of

ART. Officials at GSACS inform that if the cost of medicines for a patient put

on first line of treatment is Rs 8000 per year, the expense on medicine for

those on second line of treatment is Rs 8000 per month.

But the NGO’s feel that the government should help the HIV positive persons.

“Since very few patients can afford the cost of the second–line ART or

opportunistic infections drugs. As the drugs are largely unaffordable and

unavailable, government should plan for the future and not be short-sighted

while giving the drugs,” said Jaffer Inamdar a person living with HIV/AIDS and

Founder of the Association “Positive Lives Foundation, PLF-GOA”.

_______________

Regards

Ms. Famihda Shaikh

Counsellor

Positive Lives Foundation (PLF-GOA)

&

Positive Womens Forum - Goa

plf@... / plfgoa@...

Mobile: 09371186773