Imphal, November 13: About 5000 PLHIV are facing inconvenience since October 3 after the CD4 machine at the JNIMS went out of order, all for not procuring a Rs. 5000 worth stabilizer for the room air conditioner.
A reliable source said that CD4 machine is one of devices that can measure the immune indicator of a person to start ART tablets. But around 5000 HIV infected people of the state haven`t got the benefit of accurate diagnosis because the hospital’s CD4 went out of order since October 3.
It is however learnt from reliable sources that the CD4 machine has become non functional only because a voltage stabiliser attached to the air conditioner in the room the machine is installed, is not working.
The concern for HIV victims is such that even this small technical problem remains unrepaired since October 3.
Technical experts from the manufacturer of the CD4 machine had visited the hospital to repair the machine on October 10, 2014.
They identified the problem was due to air-conditioner failure as the CD4 machine functions optimally at a fixed temperature only. If the problem of air conditioner persists, the CD4 is likely to totally collapse, and repairs would cost much more.
The hospital officials explained the room air conditioner use a stabilizer, and this stabiliser is out or order currently. The cost of the stabilizer is just Rs. 5000 in the market but nobody is taking the initiative to have the hospital procure a new stabilizer till today.
The JNIMS laboratory technician has informed the MACS to provide required amount to buy a stabilizer but as the Project Director is on leaves, this small amount is not available.
The CD4 machine is vital in the prognosis process and detection of PLHIV after which only the ART treatment is to begin. This negligence is understandably putting a number of victims in untold misery.
As per the NACO guidelines every ART centre have to install a CD4 each. In Manipur only Bishnupur and Senapati districts are without one, while all the other districts already have one each.
Bishenpur and Senapati districts, therefore depend crucially on the CD4 machine at the JNIMS.