New daily regimen brings hope for TB-HIV co-infected patients
SHILLONG: An alarming trend of HIV patients during pre-Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) has left experts baffled.
Official data shows 142 patients died in the pre-ART stage and as many as 218 died during the therapy.
An official source told The Shillong Times on the eve of World AIDS day that the number of people living with HIV or PLHIV, registered with the ART Plus Centre at Shillong Civil Hospital stands at 2,388, as per the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) data till October 2016.
Patients who stop ART are referred to as lost to follow-up. The source said there are 192 cases of lost to follow-up and every effort is made to trace them as there has to be strict adherence to ART. The number HIV-affected children registered is 119 and 66 of them are living on ART.
However, a major step by the Government of India in treating TB-HIV co-infected patients may help improve the scenario in Meghalaya. The government will replace the intermittent regimen by daily regimen for the management of TB Daily FDC (Fixed Dose Combination), which will now be made available for implementing daily regimen for TB-HIV co-infected cases in the State.
The roll out of FDC-based daily regimen for TB-HIV co-infection and also IPT (Isoniazid preventive therapy) for PLHIV will be officially announced on Thursday, which will be a milestone for both the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programmes and the AIDS Control Society in Meghalaya.
TB and HIV co-infection is when people have both HIV infection and also either latent or active tuberculosis. When someone has both HIV and TB, each disease speeds up the progress of the other.
In Meghalaya, collaborative efforts between Central TB Division and National AIDS Control Organization started in 2001 and nationwide coverage in 2012. Screening of all TB patients for HIV and presumptive TB among PLHIV are tested for TB and co-infected cases are put on treatment under the programmes.
In 2013, National Framework for HIV/TB collaborative activities in India was developed.
As per sources in MACS, there is approximately 353 numbers of HIV-TB co-infected patients on ART.
There are 58 integrated counselling and testing centres (ICTCs) and three mobile ICTCs in Jaintia Hills, Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi districts and Garo Hills district. There is only one ART Plus Centre (Civil Hospital, Shillong) and Link ART Centres are at Civil Hospitals in Jowai, Tura and Nongstoin.
Meanwhile, as part of the observation of World AIDS Day, an array of programmes – an AIDS logo competition will be held, faith-based organisations’ convention, blood donation camp, ‘We Are One’ – a concert for World AIDS day, candlelight vigil – will be held on Thursday.