Patients want CD4 count machine
Oct 07, 2010
A group of people living with HIV in Nebbi district have appealled to the Government for a CD4 count machine to help in the treatment of people infected with the virus.
By Ben Okethwengu
A group of people living with HIV in Nebbi district have appealled to the Government for a CD4 count machine to help in the treatment of people infected with the virus.
The Role Model Action Group also wants the Government to establish a regional drug distribution centre to avoid frequent drugs shortages, especially of anti-retroviral drugs.
They said most of them were too poor to commute to and from Arua or Gulu to access the services of a CD4 count machine.
Scovia Canwegu, who said she has lived with HIV for almost 10 years, said she uses sh15,000 every month to travel to Arua for the services of a CD count machine.
She was speaking during a meeting of people living with HIV held in the Red Cross hall in Nebbi town on Monday.
“Let the Government come to our rescue by providing CD4 count machine, at least one in the district so that even the poor can know their stage of their infection,†Canwegu pleaded.
Canwegu said AIDS patients, who cannot afford the transport cost to access a CD4 machine, are being put on clinical medication without knowing the stage of their infection.
CD4 count machines help determine the stage of infection, guides drug choices and indicate the patient’s response to treatment. They also enable the physician to know when to start HIV patients on the life-saving therapy.
Geoffrey Okumu, who is also living with HIV, wondered why the CD4 count machine promised in 2008 by Paschal Wapokra, the district LCV chairman, during the World Aids Day celebration had not come.
Benjamin Wanican, the Nebbi district HIV/AIDS focal point officer, said they were lobbying for funds to acquire the CD4 count machine.
A group of people living with HIV in Nebbi district have appealled to the Government for a CD4 count machine to help in the treatment of people infected with the virus.
The Role Model Action Group also wants the Government to establish a regional drug distribution centre to avoid frequent drugs shortages, especially of anti-retroviral drugs.
They said most of them were too poor to commute to and from Arua or Gulu to access the services of a CD4 count machine.
Scovia Canwegu, who said she has lived with HIV for almost 10 years, said she uses sh15,000 every month to travel to Arua for the services of a CD count machine.
She was speaking during a meeting of people living with HIV held in the Red Cross hall in Nebbi town on Monday.
“Let the Government come to our rescue by providing CD4 count machine, at least one in the district so that even the poor can know their stage of their infection,†Canwegu pleaded.
Canwegu said AIDS patients, who cannot afford the transport cost to access a CD4 machine, are being put on clinical medication without knowing the stage of their infection.
CD4 count machines help determine the stage of infection, guides drug choices and indicate the patient’s response to treatment. They also enable the physician to know when to start HIV patients on the life-saving therapy.
Geoffrey Okumu, who is also living with HIV, wondered why the CD4 count machine promised in 2008 by Paschal Wapokra, the district LCV chairman, during the World Aids Day celebration had not come.
Benjamin Wanican, the Nebbi district HIV/AIDS focal point officer, said they were lobbying for funds to acquire the CD4 count machine.