KARACHI, Jan 9: The Sindh Aids Control Programme (SACP) through its Center of Excellence at Services Hospital, Karachi is providing medical assistance to 87 patients - including 27 Aids cases, dispensed with anti-retro viral (ARV) drugs.

The SACP manager, Dr Arshad Mohammad, speaking at a meeting here on Tuesday said the registered patients were being provided with ARV drugs free of cost. Otherwise, the monthly cost incurred on these drugs being procured from the open market was Rs15,000 to Rs20,000, he added.

The SACP was said to also have the essential facility of CD 4 - test, prerequisite to assess the status as well as resistance power among the Aids patients.

This test, he said was offered free of charge to patients.

The meeting attended by people with HIV/Aids and various NGOs extensively reviewed measures being adopted for care and support of the infected people.—APP