SOME people living with HIV in Bulawayo are failing to
access antiretroviral (ARV) drugs due to shortages in the city blamed on
distribution inefficiencies as Government says the country has adequate
supplies.
The ARVs shortage in Bulawayo has led to those on Line Two
regimen — a stronger and expensive version of ARVs — to be sent back home as
there are no stocks for the medication.
Those who find some regimens in stock are getting a week’s
supply of the life saving medication instead of the usual three months’ supply.
In an interview, a local HIV activist, Mr Dumisani Nkomo,
said he is on Line Two and was one of the affected people.
“At first we thought it was an error but it is now evident
that we no longer have enough ARVs for HIV positive members of the public. I
for one am on Line 2 but during my last visit, I was told that I had to take
something else while waiting for supplies which means we may easily default to
Line 3,” said Mr Nkomo.
“We feel like someone is gambling with our lives and it is
important that whosoever is responsible is aware that most HIV positive people
did not apply for this but were victims of abuse, infidelity and many other
reasons.”
He said it was important for Government to ensure there are
always enough supplies so that people do not relapse.
“We are doing well in terms of adhering and we wish that by
next year most of us would have achieved viral suppression. This will only be
possible if we have constant access to medication,” said Mr Nkomo.
Ministry of Health and Child Care public relations officer
Mr Donald Mujiri said although nationally there is no shortage, distribution
disruptions could be causing problems in some areas.
“The permanent secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva recently
confirmed in a Press conference that we have enough ARV stocks in the country.
However, we cannot rule out the fact that due to delays in deliveries by the
National Pharmaceutical Company of Zimbabwe (NatPharm), other institutions
could be affected” said Mr Mujiri.
Community Working Group on Health director Mr Itai Rusike
said ARV shortages may derail efforts to achieve the 90/90/90 global Aids
targets.
The targets seek to ensure that by next year, 90 percent of
all people living with HIV know their status, 90 percent of people diagnosed
with HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and that 90
percent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral
suppression.
“There are general complaints of ART shortages right across
the country. We are having repeated scenarios where people are getting refills
for a week or two or shorter periods compared to supplies for three months.
This in turn increases their out of pocket costs in bus fares as they will have
to visit the health facility more frequently to collect their medication given
the hard economic environment we are living in,” said Mr Rusike.
“The CWGH is also concerned that the El Nino induced
drought might reverse all the gains Zimbabwe had made over the years as food
insecurities have serious repercussions on people living with HIV/Aids. We
therefore urge Government to ensure that people living with HIV have enough
food to enable them to take their medication.” Chronicle
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