Dehradun: The impact of demonetisation is being clearly felt by HIV patients residing in far-flung areas of Uttarakhand, who are finding it difficult to travel to get medicine. A significant dip of 25% has been recorded in the number of HIV patients coming to take their medicines from the Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) centre for HIV patients in Dehradun, along with a drop in fresh cases.

Travel has always been a problem for the over 8,000 HIV-positive patients in the state. At the Dehradun ART Centre, 3,210 patients are registered, of which 1,620 patients are enrolled to take medicines, but the number of patients arriving at the centre has fallen over this week due to the ongoing cash crunch. According to sources, HIV patients will undergo a meeting this week to discuss their monetary issues so that their stress levels can be reduced by counselling.

The patients are willing to visit ART centres to get their medicines, but they have just not been able to because they do not have money. "My aunt and her son wanted to go to the ART centre, but because they did not have cash, and fearing all the problems on the way, they both put off their visit to collect medicines, which was scheduled for November 17," said Leena Rautela, 24, a resident of Tehri. A week prior to the date of collecting medicines, HIV patients are reminded through a phone call made by respective ART centre officials.

However, this week patients didn't turn up to take medicines. Gagan Luthra, programme officer, Uttarkhand State AIDS Control Society (USACS) said, "Travel has always been an issue with the patients in Uttarakhand due to the challenging geography and long distances. But suddenly, in the last one week, we have recorded a 25% dip in overall OPD numbers of HIV patients. Those who missed their appointments this time will be contacted and we will ensure that they take their medicines on time."

The 'due list' which has the names of all the people who skipped their medications are handed over to a government agency for follow-up and counselling of the patients so that they continue with their medication.

In Uttarakhand, 5,318 patients have been registered at ART centres and over 2,700 take their medicines from the centres across the state. The fall in number of patients is worrisome for the health department as well, because the 'due list' of HIV patients has been increasing in the past couple of months, with most of the patients not turning up being women.

Experts are of the view that if the state government would have fulfilled its promises on time, the patients would not be bearing the brunt of demonetisation. It is noteworthy that the state government on several occasions promised that HIV patients would be given free travel passes like it is given in other states, but this has never been implemented.

"Announcements made for terminally ill or incurable diseases' patients should be taken up on high priority by the govt. but unfortunately in Uttarakhand all the health works are happening on paper not on ground. State of health in Uttarakhand as whole is pathetic." said Dr. DD Choudhury, honorary secretary, Indian Medical Association- Uttarakhand.