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 cognisance 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. 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 taken suo motu cognisance 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. 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.