- NSACS made aware of problem two weeks ago
- 3000 PLHIV presently on ARTs effected
- 3000 people on ARVs discontinue ARV treatment
Dimapur, November 21 (MExN): More than 80 HIV positive community of Dimapur on November 20 expressed their resentments against the “constant breakdown of the CD4 machine” at the Centre, by holding a protest outside the ART centre, Dimapur Civil Hospital.
A press release issued by Lucy Wungleng, Kuda Village, Dimapur on behalf of the HIV+ve Community said that the machine is used as a baseline pre ARV treatment and post ARV initiation as an indicator to determine the treatment response rate after every six months. “Yet, the machine which was a second hand brand being transported from Imphal after it was used for many years, was installed in the ART centre in 2007, and has being breaking down frequently. This time the reason for the machine’s dysfunction is a minor technical error in the power back up which could have been easily repaired,” the According to the press release, the problem with the machine was reported during the 1st week of November and NSACS were made well aware of it. “However, even after a lapse of more than 2 weeks, the machine remains dysfunctional leading to untold misery of more than 3000 PLHIV presently on ARTs. This could possibly be a reason as to why, more then another 3000 people on ARVs have to discontinue ARV their treatment,” it added.
During the protest, the group hold protest postures and placards which read as “we demand new machine”, “treat us as human, we are not less than you”, “ART medicines must be available anytime”, and voice out demands to repair the machine and install a new machine at the earliest, appoint additional doctor, nurse, counselor and lab technician since the Dimapur ARTC is an ART plus centre with more than 9000 registered PLHIV.
The press release state that “this is serious issue which need urgent attention. People on ARV cannot afford to fail their adherence yet the whole system seems to be playing with the lives of the community”.
ARK Foundation extends support
Extending its support to the PLHIV community of Dimapur, ARK Foundation President, Ketho Angami has cited utter negligence of NSACS in failing to address this issue. Expressing the concerns faced by the PLHIV community on ART, he stated that earlier happenings of ARV stock outs and no CD 4 test presently will only result in treatment failure due to compelled adherence disruption and proper monitoring test.
“Without a Viral Load testing facility and its easy accessibility, people on ARV rely mostly on the CD 4 test to assess their treatment success,” he added. With the enforcement of the “test and treat strategy” as a result of the HIV/AIDS Act 2017, it is really amusing to mention that the state is emphasizing on treating every one tested positive without proper machineries and frequent stock outs of ARV Drugs.
Cautioning the HIV positive community to be aware of such system failure, the press release said “it is necessary to seek for your right to health with an equal perspective on your fundamental rights. This has to be made with informed consent, treatment and adherence, and follow up counselling are all necessary while also getting the right kind medicines and test and diagnosis at the right time and intervals”.
