Question : DRUGS KITS FOR HIV AIDS CONTROL PROGRAMME

(a) the policy of the Government regarding procurement of drugs and kits for control and treatment of HIV/AIDS infected people under the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) in the country;

(b) the volume of drugs and kits including condoms procured under NACP from public and private sector, separately during each of the last three years;

(c) whether shortage of anti-retroviral drugs, condoms and certain other drugs/ kits under NACP has been reported in the recent past in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor and the corrective measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard;

(e) whether the Government proposes to include HIV/AIDS patients in Belov/ Poverty Line (BPL) category and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the steps being taken by the Government to curb the street saloons and tattoo centres where same blades, razors and needles are used on multiple clients contributing to HIV transmission in the country?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a): NACO follows the General Financial Rules for the procurement of Drugs/ Kits etc under Domestic Budget and the World Bank guidelines for the procurement of Drugs under World Bank & Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria funds. These drugs and kits are procured centrally by NACO and supplied at the peripheral units (ART Centres, ICTC Centres, STI Clinics, NACO supported Blood Banks etc.) through State AIDS Control Societies for control and treatment of HIV/AIDS infected people. Under National AIDS Control Programme, the ARV Drugs and Kits are provided free of cost to the patients.

(b) : Details are attached at Annexure.

(c) & (d): At present there are no shortages of these items. However, in the past shortages were reported from some facilities. The situation was managed by relocation from other facilities.

(e) : ` Ministry of Rural Development is the nodal Ministry for preparation of List of households under BPL category.

Ministry of Rural Development has been requested to consider People Living with HIV for entitlement of the benefits under the Rural Development Schemes irrespective of the BPL criteria. This would facilitate social protection to PLHIV and improve their access to the schemes pertaining to nutrition, livelihood, employment, housing and social assistance without disclosing their status and without fear of stigma and discrimination.

(f) : Multimedia campaigns are planned and implemented for creating awareness on HIV transmission modes. The campaigns through mass media supported by interpersonal communications, outdoor, mid media and exhibition are implemented at national and state levels.