Himalayan News Service
Kathmandu, September 3

Maiti Nepal has introduced anti-retroviral therapy (ARV) to 40 infected young women and girls under care of the organisation.

The programme, which is under the Initiative Hope of Maiti Nepal, is supported by Bono-Direkthilfe eV - Germany, Chance Swiss - Switzerland, Maiti Children's Trust - UK and Laligurans Maiti Japan. The drug regimes are Lamivudine, Zudovudine and Nevirapine twice a day.

"I would like to assure that the beneficiaries will receive this therapy as long as this organisation exists," said Anuradha Koirala, chairperson of Maiti Nepal."The tentative expense that we have calculated amounts to Rs 70,000 per person for a year," said Bishwo Ram Khadka, director of Maiti Nepal. The organisation has also formed a medical team headed by Dr Ishwor Lal Shrestha.

"ARV therapy is a new hope for the people living with HIV," said Dr Shrestha.

Dr B D Chataut, director general at Department of Health services informed that the government is going to receive a global fund of $4.4 million for HIV/AIDS.