NACO official Responds to the quality Care at ART's

Dear FORUM,Ref: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS-INDIA/message/6974At the outset I thank Dr Bharti for his feedback. I totally agree with you that provisiong of ART has to be done carefully and scientifically by any Physician, whether is paid or in free roll out. The free roll out is never meant to compromise on quality of care or sensitiveness in treating PLHAs. NACO never starts a ART centre without training of faculty members from Medicine, paeds, gyane and dermatology departments. Alongwith this one medical officer, one counsellor, one satff nurse and one data manager is provided additionally to ART Centre by NACO.The medical officer undergoes a 12 days training before centre starts. All this is done to provide good quality care with a view to avoid drug resistance . The staff is also sensitized on issues of stigma and discrimination. As regards quality of drugs is concerned, only WHO prequalified or GMP companies medicines are procured following an International Competitive Bidding process and all drugs undergo pre supply and random post supply quality checks.No orders have been given to use lower doses of stavudine in case 40 mg has run short. Many a times as patients gain weight and require higher strength, there might be sometimes shortages for which drugs are shifted from other centres. I personally feel that doctors are hesistant to seek 2nd opinion in case they are in some difficult situation and this happens for any disease they are treating.We have to come out of this. ART information is available on some many websites and we have so many experienced persons in country that getting a opinion by email should be no problem.I will definately look into some of cases you have given. Such a feedback is not a crticism but helpful in increasing the levels of care to PLHAs to which all of us at NACO are committed Dr B.B.Rewari MD,FICP,FIACM,FIMSASr.Physician,Dr RML Hospital& National Programme Officer (ART)National AIDS Control Organistion (NACO) New DelhiTel;23325343,23325335(O)FAX : 011-23731746e-mail: <drbbrewari@yahoo.com>