Anti-retroviral therapy centres for HIV/AIDS patients soon: CII

Panaji, Mar 17 (UNI) The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) today announced that it will open an adequate number of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) centres in industries across the country soon to treat the HIV/AIDS patients through corporate sector participation.

At the inaugural session of the two-day 'HIV/AIDS Clinical Care- Train the Trainer' programme for doctors here, CII vice-chairman of Goa Council Natarajan Sriram said the confederation was also coaxing the pharmaceutical industry to offer anti-retroviral drugs at affordable cost, besides diagnostic, care and support facilities to the patients.

At least 50 specialist doctors attended the training programme which was jointly organised by the CII in collaboration with the Australia-India Council, India-Australia Council and Indian Business Trust for HIV/AIDS, besides the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The CII is also making a smart card feasibility study for treatment adherence and evaluation of the patients as a part of its global fund programme for 'Access to Care and Tretment (ACT)' for which the confederation is a partner in a NGO-private sector consortium.

The ACC, one of the largest players in the cement industry, has meanwhile started a comprehensive AIDS programme in its corporate townships even as the CII is trying to sign up a film actor as its brand ambassador for HIV/AIDS advocacy, Mr Sriram said.

Enumerating the ongoing activities of the CII in response to AIDS, he said the confederation is keen that all its 5,000 odd member companies adopt a suitable policy to combat AIDS, besides engaging in training health care professionals to develop skills in handling the cases.

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