27 February,2009 10:44 AM IST | | Alisha Coelho
Patients of the AIDS Research & Control Centre (ARCON) today are set to protest against the impending closure of the centre due to the lack of sufficient funds.
The centre that was started in 1992 has over 10,000 registered patient who receive treatment and counseling at the centre at subsidized rates.
"If the centre is closed down, AIDS treatment in the city will receive a big blow. These patients, because of the stigma associated with AIDS, have been coming to us for years. Of the 10,000 odd patients registered with us, 400 have also already begun treatment. It's unfair to turn them away because most have nowhere else to turn to," said a centre official on condition of anonymity.
The centre moved to the JJ Hospital campus premises in 1994 where it has stayed ever since. The patients today are expected to meet at 11am to appeal again to the management to not shut down the centre.
Dr Abhay Chowdhary, director of the centre said that he would comment on the matter after he had discussed it at the patient meet. "We will definitely attempt to come to some conclusion that will benefit the patients," he said.
