MALDA, March 9: An anti-retroviral therapy (ART) unit to treat HIV/AIDS in Malda district hospital has yet to begin functioning.
The superintendent of the hospital Dr A Roy said today that electric wiring for the ART unit was yet to be completed. After visiting the unit today, he said: “We are trying to complete the wiring by Friday and will begin using it as soon as possible."
The district health department proposed the plan in January 2008. A team of experts from the state health department's headquarters then visited the proposed site in Malda district hospital in November 2008. Medicines for the HIV/AIDS patients were supplied two weeks ago, but are still lying in storage.
HIV/AIDS patients are frequently returning without medicine after counseling. Sources said that a counselor for the proposed unit had been posted there several years ago. A technician was recruited a year ago, but the unit still lacked a medical officer.
Dr Roy said that a newly-appointed medical officer had joined on Saturday but he was not available today. HIV/AIDS patients usually go to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital or the Kolkata School of Topical Medicine for treatment and to collect free medicine.
Many poor patients from Malda and the adjoining areas end their treatment due to poverty. n SNS
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