It is time for accountability
When world's first therapy was rolled out in the rich nations in 1994 to reduce the risk of vertical transmission of HIV, an Indian non-profit too began the historic rollout in 1994 - eight years before the government programme stepped up to do so (from 2002 onwards).
"This roadmap gives hope. We can do better. Not only rich nations began rolling out zidovudine based treatments to reduce risk of vertical transmission of HIV 30 years ago in 1994, but even Indian Health Organisation (now renamed as People's Health Organisation) had initiated this therapy in Mumbai in 1994 itself under IHO-Wadia Model of Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT). India took another 8 years to begin a government-led programme to prevent vertical transmission of HIV from 2002 onwards," said Dr Ishwar Gilada, Focal point (Chair) of International AIDS Society (IAS) Asia Pacific and Governing Council member of IAS.
"We can and must ensure every child born to HIV positive pregnant women is HIV free - because we have the proven tools and approaches to do so - there is no excuse for any further delay. If this is achieved at our Mumbai-based Unison Medicare and Research Centre for past one decade - of 220 children born HIV free to HIV-positive mothers - why not for rest of India?" rightly asks Dr Gilada.
"Likewise for hepatitis-B - as it is vaccine preventable and the vaccine costs a pittance - less than INR 100 for complete immunisation - there is zero-excuse for inaction. People are tested for hepatitis-B infection at multiple points (such as blood banks, indoor patients in hospitals, antenatal clinics, STIs clinics, HIV centres, pre-surgery, pre-immigration, etc) as part of Triple-H ( HIV, hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C ) response, but unfortunately hepatitis-B vaccine is not even advised, leave alone provided, to those who test negative for hepatitis-B. It is important programmatic convergence if all countries in Asia Pacific region can ensure all children born are free of the 3 infections: HIV, hepatitis-B and syphilis," said Dr Gilada, who is also the Emeritus President of AIDS Society of India (ASI) and longest-serving HIV medical expert in India.
Dr Gilada had established India's 1st HIV clinic in government-run JJ Hospital in 1986 and then later established India's first HIV comprehensive medical care centre (Unison Medicare and Research Centre) in 1994.
Community engagement is critical in private sector too
Feminist movement and HIV response historically have shown the defining roles communities play in shaping people-centred and rights-based responses.
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