Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T), a major Indian multinational engaged in technology, engineering, construction, manufacturing and financial services, with global operations, has opened its new Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centre in Kol Dongri, Andheri (East), Mumbai. M V Kotwal, whole-time director and president, heavy engineering, Larsen & Toubro inaugurated the new and exclusive 2500 square feet facility.

The new facility is built and operated by L&T and owned by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM). This initiative is in partnership with Mumbai District Aids Control Society (MDACS).

The previous ART Centre operating from the L&T run Andheri Health Centre on Suren Road was initiated by A M Naik, executive chairman, Larsen & Toubro with the support from Health Department of Government of India.  Since, its inception in August 2009, over 1150 HIV/AIDS cases have been registered at this Centre of which 913 patients have been administered ART at the centre.

The increasing number of patients propelled L&T to build and shift into a larger facility. The new ART Centre has been designed to accommodate up to 2000 HIV positive patients - a 100% increase from its current capacity of 1000.

HIV/AIDS positive patients can undergo the entire range of pathology tests for their treatment here and also receive free receive medical consultation. Patients can avail X-Ray and other super specialty consultations free of cost and further benefit from the highly concessional rates charged for Ultrasonography. Medicines issued at the facility are as per the NACO protocol.

L&T is one of the first few corporates which responded to HIV/AIDS in India as early as 1985. Over the years, L&T’s awareness campaigns’ have sensitized over 30,000 employees. The company  has further undertaken various awareness campaigns such as street plays, lectures, and games conducted in colleges. L&T has also started Self Help Groups for daily living practices, meditation, vocational guidance and nutrition etc.