Although the government announced free distribution of Isoniazid, a drug which saves HIV-infected people from TB, one week ago, only a few have received it so far. [break]
As of Tuesday, only 21 out of 581 HIV-positive people, who are taking Antiretroviral (ARV) medicines in Kaski district, have visited the ARV therapy clinic at the western regional hospital, Pokhara for the newly-introduced anti-TB drug.
As TB is held responsible for the high prevalence of morbidity and mortality among people with AIDS in Nepal, the free Isoniazid-distribution campaign is expected to save the lives of many HIV-infected people. However, organizations working in the field of HIV/AIDS say that the campaign runs the risk of being a non-starter due to the lack of publicity by the government.
"The anti-TB drug distribution campaign is a huge stride toward saving the lives of HIV-positive people," says Dilip Gurung, Executive Director of Community Support Group, an NGO working in the field of HIV/AIDS.
"However, the campaign seems ineffective largely due to the lack of preparations on the part of the government." Gurung says a majority of HIV-infected people in Kaski are blissfully unaware of the availability of the anti-TB drug. "If plans for disseminating information about Isoniazid are not executed right away, many HIV-infected people will have no access to it," he says.
Health secretary Dr Prabin Mishra had launched the campaign by handing over Isoniazid drugs to four HIV-infected people in Pokhara last week. The government has also started distribution of Isoniazid drugs to HIV-infected people through Bir Hosptial, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hosptial (TUTH) and Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital, Teku in Kathmandu. However, the government is yet to come up with plans for involving NGOs and other concerned groups for widespread dissemination about the anti-TB drug campaign.
Rajendra Panta, Director of National Tuberculosis Center, says that the anti-TB drug distribution campaign is very crucial as Isoniazid prevents HIV-infected people from contracting TB. "This drug is critical for the longevity of people living with HIV and AIDS," said Panta. "HIV-positive people can have healthy lives by taking this drug regularly for six months."
However, in addition to the lack of information about Isoniazid, the misconception about it has also plagued the anti-TB drug distribution campaign.
Kalpana Gautam, a staff nurse at the ARV therapy clinic in Pokhara, says, "While many are yet to turn up for Isoniazid, some HIV-positive people say they do not need it as they are not suffering from TB. They are yet to realize that Isoniazid is for prevention of TB."
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