Around 600 HIV+ patients missing from Uttarakhand

As many as 600 HIV+ patients under medication are missing from Uttarakhand. The ART centres with the help of NGOs are trying to locate these patients.

Haldwani:Around 600 HIV+(human immunodeficiency virus) patients residing in Uttarakhand are missing. A significant dip has been recorded in the number of HIV patients coming to take their medicines from the Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) centre. The department with the help of NGOs is trying to find out this patient to provide them counselling for further treatment.

ART centres have been opened in Haldwani and Dehradun for HIV+ patients. According to reports, around 4000 HIV+ patients have been registered in these ART centres.

Out of 2796 registred patients in Haldwani 321 are missing from the city.

ART Dr Ashok Kumar said, "Presently the patients in the state are treated under the guidelines of the health ministry."

Patients are given free treatment and counselling in the state. There identity and address are kept confidential.

According to the data of the Uttarakhand state AIDS Control society, around 9,603 people have been found HIV+ in the state in the last 16 years.

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) happens after someone had HIV for many years. AIDS can take more than 8-10 years to develop after the infection with HIV.