…ARV
shortages forces HIV+ adults to take pediatric, expired drugs
shortages forces HIV+ adults to take pediatric, expired drugs
Courage Dutiro
The
Zimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) has urged government
to provide funding to the National AIDS Council (Nac) in foreign currency in
order to stem the rampant shortage of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs).
Zimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) has urged government
to provide funding to the National AIDS Council (Nac) in foreign currency in
order to stem the rampant shortage of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs).
There
have been many media reports recently to the effect that HIV and Aids
medication was in critically short supply, with health facilities at times
dispensing expired drugs or children’s drugs to adults.
have been many media reports recently to the effect that HIV and Aids
medication was in critically short supply, with health facilities at times
dispensing expired drugs or children’s drugs to adults.
Speaking
during the national commemorations of the World Aids Day held at Mucheke
Stadium, Evelyn Chamisa, who works in the communication department of ZNNP+,
said Nac was failing to procure ARVs due to the unavailability of adequate
foreign currency.
during the national commemorations of the World Aids Day held at Mucheke
Stadium, Evelyn Chamisa, who works in the communication department of ZNNP+,
said Nac was failing to procure ARVs due to the unavailability of adequate
foreign currency.
“The
drugs are supposed to be bought by Nac using money raised through the Aids levy
but they do not have foreign currency. Government is failing to avail forex for
the procurement of the anti-retrovirals. As people living with HIV, we fear an
increase in cases of defaulting caused by shortages of the medicine.
drugs are supposed to be bought by Nac using money raised through the Aids levy
but they do not have foreign currency. Government is failing to avail forex for
the procurement of the anti-retrovirals. As people living with HIV, we fear an
increase in cases of defaulting caused by shortages of the medicine.
“Due
to the unavailability of HIV second-line drugs adults are now forced to take
pediatric drugs. We have also some cases in some provinces where people are
given expired drugs. Our question to the government is what will be the
after-effects of taking expired drugs, kids dosages and single dosages. The
government should make sure the Nac trust fund is built on forex to tackle the
problem,” said Chamisa.
to the unavailability of HIV second-line drugs adults are now forced to take
pediatric drugs. We have also some cases in some provinces where people are
given expired drugs. Our question to the government is what will be the
after-effects of taking expired drugs, kids dosages and single dosages. The
government should make sure the Nac trust fund is built on forex to tackle the
problem,” said Chamisa.
She
said they engaged the government through the parliament in September but
nothing had materialized.
said they engaged the government through the parliament in September but
nothing had materialized.
In
his speech at the commemorations, the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr
Obadiah Moyo admitted that procurement of adequate ARVs was being hindered by
economic challenges being experienced in the country.
his speech at the commemorations, the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr
Obadiah Moyo admitted that procurement of adequate ARVs was being hindered by
economic challenges being experienced in the country.
“Funding
for the response remains a major challenge as we grapple with an economic
setback occasioned by poor productivity and critically low levels of foreign
currency. I have been informed that the National Aids Council collects millions
of dollars but have challenges in accessing foreign currency to procure
critical HIV and drugs used to treat non-communicable diseases. I am therefore
appealing to government to prioritise the allocation of foreign currency to Nac
so as to ensure that we do not delay buying the requirements,” said Moyo.
for the response remains a major challenge as we grapple with an economic
setback occasioned by poor productivity and critically low levels of foreign
currency. I have been informed that the National Aids Council collects millions
of dollars but have challenges in accessing foreign currency to procure
critical HIV and drugs used to treat non-communicable diseases. I am therefore
appealing to government to prioritise the allocation of foreign currency to Nac
so as to ensure that we do not delay buying the requirements,” said Moyo.
This
year’s World AIDS day commemorations ran under the theme “Communities Make the
Difference”.
year’s World AIDS day commemorations ran under the theme “Communities Make the
Difference”.
