Kohima, March 3 (MExN): The Anti-retroviral drugs are available at all stations in Nagaland, the Gauhati Bench of Kohima High Court was informed on March 2.
Citing the latest the information from the Nagaland State Aids Control Society (NSACS), the counsel for the society told the Bench comprising of Justice Songkhupchung Serto and Justice Devashis Baruah that the stock of the “medicine is available at all the stations.”
The Court was hearing public interest litigation “filed to espouse the grievances of the people living with HIV in the State of Nagaland in respect of the non availability of Anti-retroviral drug at one point of time.”
‘At no point of time there has been shortage of the drug in the State. However, it may so happened that sometimes at a particular station because of the sudden rise in the number of people living with HIV or people infected with HIV, the stock may have fallen short of the requirement,’ the counsel stated in a submission.
However, it was always met by taking from other stations which is eventually replenished when supply comes, he submitted.
The State authorities are aware of the requirement of the medicine in the State and therefore, all efforts are always made at all times to see that the stock is maintained, the counsel added.
Accordingly, the counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the respondents may be directed to make the medicine available at all times.
Considering the submissions, the Bench disposed off the PIL with the direction that the respondents should make the required stock of Anti-retroviral drug available at all times.
Apart from the NSACS, the other respondents of the PIL were State of Nagaland through Chief Secretary; Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare; Principal Director, Directorate of Health And Family Welfare; Additional Secretary and DG, National Aids Control Organisation (NACO; and the Union of India through Secretary, Ministry Of Health and Family Welfare.
As per the World Health Organization, the combined antiretroviral therapy (ART) is use to effectively treating and preventing HIV infection and the care of PLIV and structured along the continuum of HIV testing, prevention, treatment and care.
