(a) whether the Government proposes to provide special healthcare facilities for persons affected by HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government took any preventive measures to ensure people with HIV do not get affected by COVID-19;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the details of the data regarding HIV infected persons who were also infected with Coronavirus?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(Dr. BHARTI PRAVIN PAWAR)
(a) to (d): The Government has facilitated continued service provision for prevention, testing and treatment of HIV/AIDS and related co-morbidities, free of cost, to all target population during the COVID-19 pandemic through various interventions and facilities under the National AIDS Control Programme since March 2020. Initiatives like targeted care for each population group, multi-month dispensation of anti-retroviral drugs to people living with HIV, community-based screening for HIV and take-home dosing have been taken during the pandemic. National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) had instructed States not to deny any services to stranded migrants including for provision of anti-retroviral drugs. The Government is ensuring continuity of healthcare services to persons infected and affected by HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic through regularly review and appropriate reiteration of instructions and advisories.
NACO has facilitated adherence to the COVID-19 appropriate preventive measures at all facilities under National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) through reviews and issuance of advisories and guidance. This included facilitation of provision of masks, gloves, sanitizers for staffs and beneficiaries at all health facilities. States were also advised to prioritization of PLHIV for vaccination against COVID-19 as per extant guidelines. Community-based service delivery was facilitated to avoid travel by target beneficiaries and thus facilitating prevention of COVID-19 infections.
(e): Such data is not maintained centrally.