Lack of Syringes Hits Himachal's HIV tests

After condoms, it is now disposable syringes that are in short supply in Himachal Pradesh, severely hitting the state's AIDS control program.

For over three months, the Himachal AIDS Control Society has been facing a huge shortage of syringes meant for free collection of blood samples for HIV tests. For the time being, the society has been forced to borrow syringes from state-run hospitals.

Officials in the AIDS control society say its 50 centers across the state were facing a scarcity of nearly 50,000 syringes. They said the state had not procured the syringes for six months.

The society's annual requirement is over 100,000 syringes. The funds are provided by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).

Health Minister Rajeev Bindal told IANS that arrangements had been made to overcome the shortage. "We have made emergency arrangements by directing hospitals to supply the syringes to the AIDS control society's centers on priority. The process for its procurement is on", Bindal said.

Health officials said the shortage had badly hit the 50 integrated counseling and testing centers.(ICTCs). "Many people, mainly from the weaker sections, are coming daily for screening of blood, but due to shortage of syringes we are not able to draw samples", said a doctor, working in an ICTC center in Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Shimla, requesting anonymity.

Earlier, the AIDS control society had no condoms in its stocks meant for free distribution among high-risk groups. It borrowed condoms from Punjab in July. The state's annual share of condoms comes from NACO.

The state has 5,198 HIV-positive people, of whom 1,401 have AIDS. The number of cases is higher in Hamirpur, Mandi and Kangra districts.

To screen more HIV high-risk groups, the state will shortly have 50 government accredited testing centers in the private sector.

A state health department spokesperson said that as per the guidelines of NACO, the private parties opting to function as HIV testing centers would have to follow its terms and conditions. "The private parties will enter into a memorandum of understanding with the state's AIDS control society to run the facility for counseling and HIV testing. These private ICTCs will then be certified by NACO", he said.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

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