Free ARVs arrive in Kampala
Jun 13, 2004
People who have been suffering from AIDS but could not afford anti-retroviral medication can now approach health centres for help
By Charles Wendo
People who have been suffering from AIDS but could not afford anti-retroviral medication can now approach health centres for help.
On Friday, the Minister of Health, Brig. Jim Muhwezi, launched a programme in which all AIDS patients in Uganda will, in due course, be given free drugs, beginning with some 2,700 this year.
“We have decided to make these drugs part of what we have been giving to everybody. The only difference is that there are specific centres where these drugs can be given, because of their delicate nature,†Muhwezi said.
Beginning today, the National Medical Stores will ferry the medicines upcountry, to regional referral hospitals, other accredited district hospitals, level IV health centres (mini-hospitals), as well as a few missionary hospitals. By June 26, all qualifying centres will have received the first batches of the drugs.
Muhwezi said all health centres will have channels through which they can refer patients to the hospitals for ARVs. Each patient will be assigned a village volunteer who will make sure they take the drugs correctly and regularly. The Director General of Health Services, Prof. Francis Omaswa, said not every HIV-positive person will need to begin taking ARVs immediately. Doctors will examine them and advise them when to begin.
"The treatment guidelines have been prepared. There are clear criteria for selection,†he said. International bodies have applauded Uganda on the move to begin distributing ARVs free of charge. Dr. Oladapo Walker, the World Health Organisation representative, said, “Uganda is one of the countries we are relying on to hit the target of treating three million people worldwide by 2005.
The UNAIDS country coordinator, Dr. Ruben Prado, said there was nothing more valuable than life.
The drugs suppress HIV to the extent that the virus to undetectable levels. However, virus particles remain hidden in some tissues and begin to multiply again if one stops taking the drugs.
patients also suffer from varying side effects, suggesting that prevention remains the best option.
People who have been suffering from AIDS but could not afford anti-retroviral medication can now approach health centres for help.
On Friday, the Minister of Health, Brig. Jim Muhwezi, launched a programme in which all AIDS patients in Uganda will, in due course, be given free drugs, beginning with some 2,700 this year.
“We have decided to make these drugs part of what we have been giving to everybody. The only difference is that there are specific centres where these drugs can be given, because of their delicate nature,†Muhwezi said.
Beginning today, the National Medical Stores will ferry the medicines upcountry, to regional referral hospitals, other accredited district hospitals, level IV health centres (mini-hospitals), as well as a few missionary hospitals. By June 26, all qualifying centres will have received the first batches of the drugs.
Muhwezi said all health centres will have channels through which they can refer patients to the hospitals for ARVs. Each patient will be assigned a village volunteer who will make sure they take the drugs correctly and regularly. The Director General of Health Services, Prof. Francis Omaswa, said not every HIV-positive person will need to begin taking ARVs immediately. Doctors will examine them and advise them when to begin.
"The treatment guidelines have been prepared. There are clear criteria for selection,†he said. International bodies have applauded Uganda on the move to begin distributing ARVs free of charge. Dr. Oladapo Walker, the World Health Organisation representative, said, “Uganda is one of the countries we are relying on to hit the target of treating three million people worldwide by 2005.
The UNAIDS country coordinator, Dr. Ruben Prado, said there was nothing more valuable than life.
The drugs suppress HIV to the extent that the virus to undetectable levels. However, virus particles remain hidden in some tissues and begin to multiply again if one stops taking the drugs.
patients also suffer from varying side effects, suggesting that prevention remains the best option.