More people suffering from HIV/AIDS in the country are receiving antiretroviral drugs
Kathmandu, November 29 (The Himalayan Times National Daily)
More people suffering from HIV/AIDS in the country are receiving antiretroviral drugs.
According to National Centre for AIDS and STD Control, 19,388 people living with HIV in the country are receiving ART services currently. The number of patients receiving the service in 2016 stood at 16,449. Among 19,388 patients, 75 per cent are receiving antiretroviral drugs and therapy, while 11 per cent have stopped going for follow-up care. The centre said another 11 per cent had died of the disease. “With the availability of free ART services in 68 centres set up by the government, the number of patients receiving the services has increased,” said Bir Bahadur Rawal, section officer at National Centre for AIDS and STD Control. “We have also established 111 community care centres where HIV patients can receive ARV services.”
“Kathmandu has the most number of people living with HIV. Migration of people from different district, increasing number of people having unsafe sex and use of injectable drugs are leading to an increase in the number of HIV patients ,” he said.
According to World Health Organisation, HIV/AIDS remains one of the world’s most significant public health challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
THE HIMALAYANTIMES NATIONAL DAILY
