Manipur: Shortage of lifesaving drug affects nearly 14 K people with HIV/AIDS

Owing to the shortage, many adults are being given pediatric drugs while children are being prescribed drug meant for adults but in reduced doses.

Nearly 14,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in the state are facing acute shortage of the lifesaving anti-retro-viral or ARV drug since April this year.

Leimapokpam Deepak, president of the Manipur Network of Positive People, highlighted that although the state has been facing shortage of ARV drugs from time to time since rolling out of the free antiretroviral therapy in 2004, it is for the first time that the patients are being deprived of the lifesaving drug for such an extended period.

It may be mentioned here that as many as 8 civil voluntary organisations and NGOs working in the field of public health and for the welfare of the people in Manipur today convened a meeting in Imphal and have mounted pressure on the government to immediately act to ease the plights confronting the People Living with HIV AIDS.

Speaking to media, Leimapokpam Deepak said that the problem came up after the Manipur State AIDS Control Society was asked to procure the medicines, which were earlier supplied by National AIDS Control Organisation.

Deepak further said that the people are required to take the drug on the prescribed time each day, and a delay of an even a minute could increase the viral load, thereby threatening the life and wellbeing of the patients.

Owing to the shortage, many adults are being given pediatric drugs while children are being prescribed drug meant for adults but in reduced doses.

Worth mentioning here, team Northeast Live also went to seek clarifications from the Manipur State AIDS Control Society but the concerned officials were on leave.

COMMENTS