PIMS gets ART centre

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 2

The Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has inaugurated anti-retroviral therapy (ART) centre at its premises.

The inauguration ceremony was performed by PIMS Director-cum-Principal Dr Kulbir Kaur and ART centre nodal head Dr Amarjit Singh Vij.

Dr Kulbir Kaur said, “Under National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), PIMS is allowed to open ART centre in its premises. Earlier, the only ART centre available nearby was in the Civil Hospital, Jalandhar, but now this facility is also available in PIMS. The institution has also sent a request to Punjab State AIDS Control Society (PSACS) to provide integrated counselling and testing centre (ICTC) to PIMS.

Amit Singh (Resident Director PIMS) said that under this programme, anti-retroviral drugs, medicines for management of HIV and opportunistic infections will be provided free of cost and their identity would be kept confidential.

Dr Amarjit Singh Vij said, “Anti-retroviral therapy is a combination of at least three drugs from different groups. It works to control HIV replication in the body and helps to maintain the immunity (natural defence of the body). Hence it delays disease progression, prevents opportunistic infections and reduces hospitalisation. It is a lifelong therapy, similar to treatment taken for high BP and diabetes. There are certain side effects, but these are mostly manageable. ART is given after counselling and proper evaluation of patients for eligibility. ART has changed the outlook of HIV/AIDS from a ‘virtual death sentence’ to a ‘chronic manageable disease’. It increases survival and quality of life. Many HIV positive people are now involved in NACO/PSACS supported programmes. The key objective of NACP is to provide care, support and treatment to all the HIV patients.”

PIMS’s Vice Principal Dr Rajiv Arora, Medical Superintendent Dr GS Joneja, nursing superintendent Brig. Sudan along with other doctors and nursing staff were present at inauguration ceremony.