Concerned over the reported shortage of drugs for HIV patients across the country, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sent a notice to the Union Health Ministry asking for a report on measures taken to tackle the situation.
"The Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that treatment of HIV patients across India had taken a hit, especially in Delhi and Mumbai due to severe stock-outs of life saving medicines at Government owned centres," said NHRC in a statement.
Treatment and control of HIV, including dispensing drugs and testing, is handled by the government run public health programme through 355 odd centres.
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Stock-outs have hit centres in Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Manipur the worst, according to the report.
"The contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of HIV patients," observed the Commission.
The notice has been issued to the Secretary, Health Ministry calling for a factual report within two weeks.
The Commission has directed him to submit a report on the short term and long term measures proposed for preventing shortages of such essential medicines.
According to the media report, Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+) representing HIV patients, has sought emergency procurement and relocation of stocks to the government owned centres experiencing stock-outs of ARVS, the statement said.
It has also sought strengthening and streamlining drug forecasting, procurement and supply chain mechanism to prevent future shortages.
