Chained HIV Foundation head protests medicine shortage

ORLANDO QUINTERO    the director of Probisida, a foundation that  assists people with HIV chained himself to  the entrance of the Social Security Hospital Complex on Vía Transístmica on Tuesday, March 21.

The action was taken to draw attention to the lack of medicines for HIV patients in the country.

Quintero, dressed in a red shirt and black pants, said that the lack of medicines such as Raltegravir and Atripla has been a problem for seven months.

Acting Social Security Director Rubén Darío López said that there is a contract for the purchase of Raltegravir for $1.2 million. However, he said, the contract needs to be endorsed by the Comptroller General.

Quintero complained about the bureaucracy in the purchase of medicines, a situation that was admitted by its  acting director.

“The internal processes of CSS have many delays,” said Lopez.

Several members of Probidsida with banners joined the protest,  on the steps of the CSS complex. Ombudsman Alfredo Castillero Hoyos also went to the event and said that a complaint will be filed for the lack of medicines.