Speaking to media at its office in Keishamthong Hodam Leirak Airport Road, CoNE president Nalinikanta informed that the ART program was taken up in Manipur in 2004 and has been a life saver initiative for people living with HIV. However, frequent ART stock-outs and shortage has not only crippled the noble initiative of the government, but has also has made many of the people on ART resistant to the drug they are consuming, compelling them to switch their regimens, he added.

Citing examples of the issues faced by the people, Nalinikanta said that due to stock out and shortage of ARV drugs, people coming to get medicines at ART centres are provided medicines for a few days only (ranging from 3 to 12 days). In addition, ARV drugs meant for paediatric use (30mg) have been given to adults who are supposed to be provided with 300mg on a regular basis. Therefore, adults are compelled to take 10 pills per day. 

Despite NACO recommending a multi-drug dispensing system across the country, Manipur is still not able to provide even a month’s medication to patients while other states have started dispensing 3 months ARV medicines to patients, Nalinikanta added.

Though first line drugs are not in shortage, the government is facing acute shortage of 2nd line drugs which is a case of serious concern. However, MSACS has totally ignored the issue and is acting as if there is no problem at all while in reality the people are dying, stated Nalinikanta while adding that if this system continues for long people will have no option but to die ultimately.

Nalinikanta also informed that ARV medicines are being dispensed for 15 days at ART centre RIMS while medicines for a maximum period of 12 days are being provided at JNIMS ART centre. He also urged the health minister to intervene and take up necessary measures to solve the issue at the earliest and save people living with HIV.