Dear Forum,

May I take the privilege to draw kind attention of the forum to save
one of my friend's life in Kolkata who needs 2nd line or further Anti
Retroviral Therapy (ART)?

Mr. Shyamal Mitra was in 2nd line ART since last year with the
support of Calcutta Rescue, headed by Dr. Jack Preger. Few months
back Dr. Preger suddenly withdrawn his support (which he also done
earlier with other people) for Mr. Mitra that compelled him to
waiting for death without treatment.

Mr. Mitra is a member of Kolkata Network of People Living with
HIV/AIDS (KNP+) likely from the very beginning of the network. Still,
there is nobody today to demand or to arrange or to take any
necessary action for treatment to save his life as well as to save
his family from opted post death disaster.

Under these circumstances, I would like to request the forum to focus
back to the Immediate Requirement/Demand of 2nd Line and Further ART.

I am also keen to know about the context after the renewed HIV/AIDS
estimates in India in terms of demands of People Living with HIV's
for 2nd line and further ART from various Civil Society Groups,
Positive People's Networks and other Like Minded People for the
compliancy in demanding our basic Right To Life for these Life Saving
Drugs.

· Is our Government constantly rejecting or non-committal
towards 2nd line and further ART due to high cost?

· Are we demanding from the Government to take about providing
or to keep it's promise to provide Universal Access To Treatment as a
signatory member country of UNGASS Commitment?

· How long should we wait till the Government decides to set up
infrastructure for Viral Load Test, staff Training etc. for 2nd line
and further ART at the cost of ongoing silent deaths?

· Has our Government given any committed time frame to start on?

· How long our Government will linger to adopt the pending
HIV/AIDS Law?

· Till then why can't Government exhibit their genuine concern
to engage with other Government Departments to ensure affordable
treatment at lower prices by waving taxes, negotiating with Drug
Manufacturing Companies for reducing of the drug prices?

· Why India has not yet ratified its laws as a signatory of UN
Convention Against Torture (UNCAT), which says Negligence In Health
Care by the State is TORTURE?

· Why all People Living with HIV Networks and similar minded
Civil Society Organizations are not coming out to strengthen Aids
Health Foundation India's ongoing initiative for Reducing Drug Prices
for Affordable Treatment that our Government could purchase within
their Limited Resource?

· Are we all afraid of loosing Opted Governmental Support and
special privileges allotted for us even at the COST OF LIVES of our
BELOVED FRIENDS?

In Solidarity,

Snehansu Bhaduri.
e-mai: Snehansu.bhaduri@...