Covid-19 impacts HIV tests in Srikakulam

• As the staff of Anti-Retroviral Therapy Centre (ARTC) and Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC) are deputed for Covid tests, HIV tests have been completely stopped at all 15 government hospitals across the district

• HIV positive patients need special treatment from others and more care is required

• Private hospitals are exploiting the situation and fleecing the patients by charging Rs 1,000 and more for the tests

Srikakulam: Tests for confirmation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have not been conducting at all 15 government hospitals laboratories in the district for the last three months. In the wake of Covid-19, all the staff members, who are working at Anti-Retroviral Therapy Centre (ARTC) and Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC) are deputed for Covid tests and other related duties. As a result, HIV tests were completely stopped at all 15 government hospitals across the district.

HIV test is essential for confirmation of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) disease even for pregnant women. If any pregnant woman developed HIV positive immediately therapy will start as part of Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT) method. In addition to it, HIV test is also equally important for surgery required patients. If any surgery required patient become HIV positive, he need special treatment from other patients and more precautions are required. Every month over 1,000 persons are being tested in all the 15 hospitals across the district to detect HIV. For the last

three months, these tests are completely stopped. In this backdrop, pregnant women and surgery required patients are visiting private hospitals, where they are being exploited by the managements of hospitals and are paying Rs 1,000 and more for the HIV test.

As per government guidelines after conducting HIV test if any pregnant woman or a surgery required patient developed positive, they need to provide Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) treatment along with supply of medicine. For the last three months pregnant women and surgery required patients have been visiting private hospitals and purchasing medicine from private medical shops.

"Lab technicians and other staff of ARTCs have been deputed for Covid duties as a result HIV tests are not being conducting at ARTCs in 15 government hospitals across the district," stated District Project Manager (DPM) for ARTCs K Umamaheswara Rao to The Hans India.

Speaking to this paper District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO) Dr M Chenchayya said, "We have brought this issue to the notice of higher officials and based on their orders, we will start HIV tests in the district soon."