Government doctors and VMC officials were invited by the association to support HIV positive people’s demand regarding ART, but not a single official came, leaving those affected by the disease disappointed.

Speaking to Express Newsline, Pritesh Shah, coordinator of AP+ in the district, said, “We organised this campaign supporting the cause of HIV positive people. Although many doctors had made tall promises of joining the daylong campaign at the General Bus Stand depot, none of them turned up.”

This made the campaign a low-key affair, which was attended by HIV+ people and a few well-wishers, he added.

Presently, free ART is available only in Surat, Ahmedabad and Rajkot. Due to this, the HIV positive people find it difficult to bear the transportation expenses every month.

Among others present on the occasion were Mukesh Joshi and his wife Ganga, both HIV+. “It has been over one year when I was detected with HIV positive as my immunity started diminishing, I was suggested by the doctors to take ART treatment,” said Joshi, who is now unemployed.

Ever since the couple was detected with HIV+, life became a sort of challenge for them. “First my husband and then I was detected with it. We do not have any children and our family has closed the doors on us,” said Ganga.

She added, “It is now getting difficult for us to afford ATR transportation expenses which is around Rs 200 per head, if we opt for Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. This is why we joined this signature campaign.”