Activist Groups' Plea to Indian Prime Minister: 'Rollout Second-Line AIDS T...(eatments throughout India said Michael ...),Health

"I started my first-line ARV medicines in 2001, but after five years, first-line drugs were not working and I was admitted in hospital for a long stay -- four months," said Kumar, a Delhi resident who has known he was HIV positive for seven years, and whose CD4 count was zero when he first tested. "According to the doctors, I needed to take second-line treatment to save my life. I came to know about AHF from NACO and at AHF they started me on second-line drugs, within one month I was better already. I would like to give a message to our government that they should pay some attention and increase their involvement in getting second-line treatment to those who need it."

"Without access to second-line therapies, I would not be alive today," said Francisco Xavier De Melo, President of Love Life Society-Consortium of People with HIVAIDS. "I am very lucky, as very few people in India have access to second-line therapy. It is too expensive -- but it is a matter of life and death for many of us. Positive people throughout India look urgently to our government leaders to help start delivery of such lifesaving second-line treatments."

"AIDS Healthcare Foundation stands in solidarity with the advocates and people of India in urging the government to launch the provision of second-line therapies immediately," said Terri Ford, AHF Director of Global Advocacy. "In our own clinic here in New Delhi, we are trying to save the lives of activists and clients in urgent need of these medications so that they can remain healthy and continue their courageous fight for treatment for all. We know that Treatment Saves Lives and the time is now."

About AHF

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the US' largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare, research, prevention and education provider. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to mo
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