Sion Hospital and Mumbai District Aids Control Society (MDACS) launch project to examine impact of Diabetes and Hypertension in HIV patients

Mumbai: The Sion hospital in collaboration with the Mumbai District Aids Control Society (MDACS), is set to launch a new pilot project that will start next week. The project aims to examine the impact of diabetes and hypertension in HIV patients. The National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) will provide the necessary funds needed for the project.

The project has been planned to launch as doctors have been saying that diabetes and hypertension are on the rise in People living with HIV (PLHIV). 

Upholding the discussion, an MDACS official also mentioned the importance of the project by saying that understanding the intersection between HIV and cardiometabolic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension is required to strengthen the health systems and care programmes for PLHIV.

Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi and Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Municipal General Hospital in Kandivali both the centre treat 5000 PLHIVs and the research will be conducted there. Antiretroviral medication is used by 39000 patients in Mumbai who have HIV.

While speaking with HT, A doctor from MDACS said that the project will help them provide a better platform for response to non-communicable diseases. "Like in the general population, these two non-communicable diseases are also on the rise in PLHIV. Such integrated service for the prevention, identification and treatment of HIV, hypertension and diabetes will go a long way in treating PLHIVs," he added.

The doctor from MDACS told that "We will study the needs of the PLHIV diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension. Things like if the staff needs extra training, logistical requirements will be checked along with the needs and expectations of the patients. We will do random blood screening and take two readings of blood pressures and keep the records."

The integration of diabetes and hypertension with HIV, according to MDACS experts, will eliminate duplication of healthcare resources and said, "Diabetes and hypertension are chronic conditions. Offering treatment under one roof will ensure better management of the disease as it is observed that PLHIV are hesitant in seeking treatment for diabetes and hypertension because of the stigma attached with HIV. HIV, diabetes, hypertension require chronic care that includes long follow-up, revisits, referrals, counselling, social support systems, and collaborative actions."

She added that with improved access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), the longevity of PLHIV has improved but increased the burden of diabetes and hypertension in the population.

She also informed that "Diabetes and hypertension in PLHIV are occurring due to a mix of chronic immune activation, medication side effects, coinfections, and the ageing process along with an unhealthy diet. It is seen as a major cause of death among HIV patients. This project will help us study how we can improve the health care for PLHIV."

According to Dr Seema Bansode, head of the preventive medicine department, Sion Hospital, "It is important that PLHIV gets screened for both diabetes and hypertension. We plan to integrate screening and treatment for diabetes and hypertension for PLHIV."

A doctor from the medicine department stated that "Studies and research conducted abroad have looked at hypertension and diabetes in PLHIV. We will also counsel HIV patients on the importance of getting screened and taking appropriate treatment."