The Goa State Human Rights Commission(GSHRC) on Monday directed the State government to ensure optimum care and facilities for people living with HIV, following a complaint filed by Peter F. Borges, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Human Touch Foundation(HTF).
The GSHRC has asked the Chief Secretary to fix responsibility in this regard. GSHRC in its inquiry report said that there were no full-fledged facilities in the State to provide treatment for people living with HIV.
“There are no viral load testing facilities in the State of Goa for studies in HIV or any other viruses. Presently, the samples are referred to J J Hospital, Mumbai for viral load testing. The State should make efforts to provide this essential facility to all the individuals who are in need of the same,” said the order, based on its inquiry report.
Mr. Borges had earlier argued that the goal of the Antiretroviral therapy (ART) in force is viral suppression and routine viral load facility is of utmost importance to all those accessing treatments in the State.
Mr. Borges had also said the current treatment strategy, executed through State-run Goa Medical College and Link ART centres at Mapusa, Margao, Chicalim and Ponda are ineffective and not-coordinated in a professional manner.
“There is a failure in retainment of the patient on ART, leading to lost cases, loss/death of patients in follow up, patients reporting to Goa Medical College with an advanced staged of treatment failure, with very less CD4 counts. During this, it is required that results of any viral load investigations are available within 2-3 days, hence the complainant prayed for viral load testing in the State itself, he said.
