HIV affected patients speaking on anonymity said “For the past 15 days we are not getting much needed ZLN tablets. Among 15,000 registered HIV positive patients at ART centre in KR Hospital, those HIV positive patients whose CD4 is less than 500 are given this tablet. There are nearly 5500 such patients who are depended on this tablet. The tablet enables to control viruses and gives energy and stamina to the patients. According to doctors, the patients should take the table without a miss but due to apathy on part of the suppliers, the patients are put to trouble. If tablets are not taken on time, their health may get upset.
Due to the stigma and the discrimination patients not only from across the state but even from Kerala come here to get the tablets. But for the past few days, they are disappointed as they are not getting the tablet. HIV positive patients who are dependent on this tablet and don’t want to disclose his name said “During counseling, the counselors and doctors advise us to take tablets regularly. This tablet is taken during morning and night but for the past nearly 10 to 15 days we are not getting this tablet. If we take this tablet regularly we can just stretch ourselves for few more years”. In Mysuru city alone there are three ART centres. It is alleged the problem more exists at KR Hospital ART centre because it is in this centre more number of people get tablets.
Speaking to Newskarnataka Dr Srinivas said, “Almost every day we are sending mail to Karnataka Aids Prevention Society who get it from NACO, Central agency. It is alleged there is some problem in transportation. The problem exists in almost all ART centres across the state.”
