Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 23:
Despite instruction from National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) is yet to arrange necessary measures for conducting the required basic investigation for providing ART drugs free of cost to HIV positive children in the State, thereby causing of lot of inconveniences to the young patients and their worried parents alike.
It is said basic investigation is essential for HIV positive children with low CD4 count before extending the ART facilities to them.
Though the testing for CD4 count is being conducted free of cost at RIMS and JN Hospital, as the authorities of these two medical institutes have not yet informed of the NACO's instruction, no measures have been taken up for the conduct of basic investigation to find out whether the HIV positive children are ready for the ART treatment or not.
The basic investigation to be conducted on HIV positive children with low CD4 count include Full Blood Count (FBC), Liver Function Test (LFT) and ESR.
It is only after confirmation of these tests that status of the patients for administering ART drugs would be determined based on ratio of their body weight and age.
NACO had reportedly given the instruction for making arrangement measures for conducting the basic investigation free of cost in November last year.
After the ART facilities have been started extending to all the HIV positive children in other States of India through the joint initiative of NACO, Clinton Foundation, WHO and UNICEF, identification of HIV positive children and testing for CD4 count have also been started.
After the ART in-charge of MACS announced the availability of the facility for conducting CD4 test for HIV positive children at RIMS and JN Hospital since January 22, NGO clients of MACS like MNP, SASO, Kripa Foundation, Care Foundation have so far conducted CD4 testing on five children at JN Hospital.
These NGO clients remarked that along with the CD4 test, the basic investigation is essential.
But so far there has been no such facilities at RIMS and JN Hospital as the authorities of the MACS has not yet intimidated to the authorities of the two medical institutes in this regard.
Without the basis investigation, ART treatment cannot be extended to the young patients.