Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 17 (EMN): Even as the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) targets eradicating AIDS by 2030 and eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, in the state of Nagaland HIV positive pregnant mothers are unable to access the ‘Nevirapine syrup,’ which is for newborn babies. The crucial syrup is said to have run into shortage.
Eastern Mirror was informed that the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) services at ART centre in all the districts have run out of ‘Nevirapine syrup’ meant for infants born to HIV positive mothers since August 31.
In the absence of the syrup, sources said that antiretroviral drugs (ARV) meant for adults is broken into four pieces, crushed and prepared into syrup diluted with distilled water and administered to infants.
Confirming this, Lucy Wungleng from Dimapur Network of People living with HIV and AIDS (DNP+) expressed concern stating that even if the medicine were broken into four pieces the correct dosage cannot be ascertained.
“We never know. The dosage may not tally as it may either be overdose or less,” said a worried Wungleng who also cited an incident that happened on Sep. 17: a nine-month pregnant woman who is HIV positive was referred to their centre to avail the nevirapine syrup. She said that the woman may give birth anytime and was worried about the syrup being unavailable; the baby has to be administered the syrup within 72 hours after birth. Wungleng desperately asked if the syrup can be obtained from medical stores, which unfortunately is not available in pharmacies.
Ketho Angami, president of the ARK Foundation (Access to Rights and Knowledge) also confirmed the news and said unavailability of the syrup may fuel new transmission of HIV from mother to child in the state, if necessary preventive measures are not taken immediately.
Stating that the nevirapine syrup is administered to newly born infants to decrease the chance of contracting HIV, he said “the human basic fundamental rights are being violated and NSACS has to be held accountable for this.”
Dr. Ngangshimeren, the NSACS project director, said although an order for the syrup was placed sometime ago, delivery of the consignment has been delayed as the NACO too has run out of stock; the order has had to be placed directly with the company.
However, he said that the consignment had reached Kolkatta two days ago and was being expected to reach the state in a day or two. The little quantity which was received earlier, he informed, was distributed to all the ART centres, which also ran out. He was optimistic that the medicine would soon reach the state.
In its HIV Estimations 2017 report the NACO estimated India to have around 22,677 [10,927-40,605] HIV-positive women who gave birth in 2017 and needed ART prophylaxis to prevent HIV transmission to their baby.
State/UT wise, PMTCT needs were highest in the state of Maharashtra followed by Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. Nagaland is placed in 21st.
