With 241 people living with HIV who discontinued receiving the Antiretroviral Therapy Treatment (ART) a ‘Lost to Follow Up’ (LTFU) tracking/tracing drive was today launched in Khliehriat.
The objective of the drive is to trace people living with HIV in order to bring them back to avail the therapy. The project will be implemented by the Meghalaya State Network of Positive People (MSNP+).
East Jaiñtia Hills Deputy Commissioner, Abhilash Baranwal said the drive is to ensure that all 241 people are brought back into continuous and regular ART treatment and to simultaneously test their immediate family members, spouse and children to find out their status as well.
“The drive will also create awareness among the public that through the help of the ART treatment a person who is infected with HIV can also live a normal life and also to prevent stigmatization,” he said.
He said that the total cost of the project is Rs. 3.5 lakh to Rs 4 lakh and it is arranged through the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). He also informed that ART treatment is now available at Khliehriat CHC.
The Deputy Commissioner congratulated the Project Assistant, AHANA, Assistant Director, Meghalaya Aids Control Society (MACS), and the Meghalaya State Network of Positive People (MSNP+) for coming up with the project.
AHANA project assistant, Barry. L. Kharmalki said that the three-month project will reinitiate people living with HIV into treatment that will help in reducing the spread of HIV infection in the district and decrease the risk of opportunistic infection and illness.
He also said that the outcome of the drive is to expand positive prevention activities by testing immediate family members, spouse, and children, linkage of spouse and children if detected positive, linkage to social protection schemes and ensure the PLHIV well-being and reduce mortality among PLHIV.
Kharmalki further informed that there will be three tracers who will be trained by the MSNP+, so as to also ensure that confidentiality of the people living with HIV is maintained.
People who have fallen out of treatment and want to get back into the treatment and support system could also contact the Project Coordinator at 8732015954.
