Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) - December 7, 2005
India under fire: India's Health Minister, Ambumani Ramadoss, has described his own country's main Aids body as "visionless".
India, which reported its first case in 1986, now has more than five-million people infected with HIV.
In addition, a report criticising the National Aids Control Organisation (Naco) has been published by the Indian Network of Positive People, accusing the authorities of inadequately enforcing guidelines, critical gaps in treatment and no links between tuberculosis and HIV programmes.
The report also said that India's patent laws, amended this year to comply with World Trade Organisation requirements, made it difficult to increase the production of generic drugs.
According to Health Ministry officials, India is providing free medication to 15 000 HIV patients. The World Health Organisation estimates that about 770 000 people need the drugs.
Lack of Aids drugs in Swaziland: A group of HIV-positive Swazis is considering taking the government to court for an alleged erratic supply of anti-retrovirals (ARVs), but officials insist that the lack of drugs is a matter of perception rather than reality.
"Government should prepare itself for a lawsuit," said Hannie Dlamini, secretary of a five-man committee tasked by the group to challenge the government on the country's ARV distribution.
The yet-to-be-named organisation of ARV users, formed recently, has given the government until December 24 to offer a reliable drug distribution programme. If it failed to do so, the group said it would press ahead with court action, Dlamini said.
Dr Derek von Wissell, director of the National Emergency Council on HIV/Aids, said: "The World Health Organisation projected 13 000 people on ARVs this year; by September, we had 14 500 people on the programme, so if there were shortages it is a measure of our success."
051207
MG051209
Copyright © 2005 - Daily Mail & Guardian. For information about the content or for permission to redistribute, publish or use for broadcast, contact the publisher.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .