Dr. Avnish Jolly, Chandigarh :The Immunological disorders leading to disability including HIV/AIDS figure in the list mentioning, inter alia, Chronic renal failure, Cancers, Cardiomyopathy, Diabetes mellitus, Hepatitis B ,Hepatitis C, Haemophilia, Hyperthyroidism, Cirrhosis, Ulcerative colits etc,
In true recognition of a chronic manageable disease that HIV/AIDS is, the Government of Punjab has included HIV/AIDS in the list of 27 complicated chronic diseases for which the treatment taken by the pensioners of Government of Punjab in reimbursable. According to the letter nos.12/77/2005- 5HBV/31950 and 12/69/98-5HBV/ 31950 both dated 10th September, 2007 detail the provisions accordingly.
The pensioner suffering from any of the ‘complicated chronic disease(s)’ is first certified accordingly by any of the five institutions, viz, AIIMS,New Delhi, PGIMER, Chandigarh, Medical College, Patiala, Medical College, Amritsar or Medical College Faridabad. The treatment taken as indoor and outdoor patient at these institutions is reimbursed.
The follow-up outdoor treatment of the disease can also be had from Government Medical College & Hospital, Sector – 32, Chandigarh, General Hospital, Sector – 16, Chandigarh, Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana and all the district level Civil Hospital in Punjab on the basis of the above-mentioned & complicated Chronic Disease Certificate. When the initial indoor treatment was taken from a private hospital outside Punjab / U. T. of Chandigarh, the follow up outdoor treatment can also be obtained from that institution itself and a nearby private hospital on the basis of the complicated chronic Disease Certificate issued by the Competent Authority at AIIMS, at Government rates.
Pooja Thakur, President, CNP+ has appreciated the efforts of the Punjab Government in caring for some of its needy citizens and issuing the list of a chronic manageable disease has included HIV/AIDS in the list of 27 complicated chronic diseases for which the treatment taken by the pensioners of Govt. of Punjab in reimbursable.
Pooja Thakur, President, CNP+ said that the Drop In centre started operating in 2005 as a response to the plight of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the North India.
A child in need of care shall not be discriminated against on the basis of a Childs disability, mental, physical or emotional health, foster or any other status.
She said their centre is faced with the challenge of lack of sufficient financial support from the funding agencies to Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) enrolled at their centre although there is an increase in the number of children showing interest in enrolling at their centre, which currently has 120 children.
Pooja stressed that they will continue to make vigorous follow-ups with the social and community department with regard to the CNP+ responsibility to support orphans and vulnerable children in accordance with the government policy and guidelines.