18 die of suspected AIDS in Gujarat

Bhuj, Nov 28 (UNI) Eighteen people have died of suspected AIDS in Kandla, Gandhidham, Adipur and Anjar in Kutch district in the last two months for want of regular supply of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs, supposed to be dispensed free by the government, claimed an activist.

Gandhidham-based NGO Kutch Network Positive People's Amita Pandey said the deaths might have been caused due to AIDS.

However, Bhuj Civil Hospital surgeon Dr Suryakant Veda did not confirm the deaths due to AIDS.

''The deaths could have been related to infections arising out diseases like TB, pneumonia, blood cancer after contracting AIDS,'' he said.

He admitted that there was a shortage of AVR drugs at Bhuj Civil hospital and hence patients were being referred to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.

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