No shortage of ARV drugs- Center
Recently the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) said that there is no shortage of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs in India.
NACO has denied allegations of any shortage of ARV drugs. According to him, there are enough medicines for about 95% of HIV infected people (PLHIV) admitted to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) centers.
The number of people infected with HIV in India in the year 2019 was about 23.48 lakh.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that weakens a person’s immune system by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection.
There is currently no effective treatment for HIV. However, HIV can be controlled with proper medical care.
If HIV is not treated, it can take the form of AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).
For treatment, PLHIV requires access to a number of ARV drugs to suppress the virus, keep the person healthy, and prevent the HIV-negative partner from becoming infected with the virus.
Interruption of ART treatment leaves people infected with HIV vulnerable to life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections.
Initiatives taken by the Government:
- National AIDS Control Program (NACP) is being run.
- The National AIDS Control Organization, an organization of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, acts as the nodal agency for the activities of NACP.
- The HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 has been enacted to remove discrimination against PLHIV.
- A National Strategic Plan 2017-24 has been prepared for monitoring ART services. Mission Sampark (SAMPARK) has also been started for this.
Source – The Hindu
