The Health Ministry launched the Reconstituted National HIV/AIDS Commission to provide diverse health services for people living with HIV/ADS in the country yesterday.
The 133rd round of the council of ministers meeting has endorsed the proposal for the reconstitution of the commission.
Health minister Tandin Wangchuk, who is also the chairperson of the commission, said the National HIV/AIDS Commission has not undergone major reforms since its inception in 2004.
The reconstituted commission has 15 members representing all the relevant stakeholders including Lhak-Sam.
“The long term vision of the commission is to make HIV/AIDS no longer a public health issue in our country,” said the health ministry’s Chief Programme Officer, Namgay Tshering.
The ministry also launched five Gene Xpert machines which will benefit people living with HIV/AIDS to undergo HIV viral testing. The Gene Xpert services will be available in five district hospitals.
“The machine will facilitate and help our people living with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis to actually know the amount of the virus present in their body,” said Namgay Tshering adding that it will also indicate individuals on how the treatment is working for them.
Furthermore, two vans equipped with mini-labs were also launched. It is to carry out onset HIV testing and will be used during disease outbreaks. Currently, there are 548 people living with HIV/AIDS in the country.
