News / Health
'Zimbabwe HIV patients in danger'
14 Jul 2014 at 08:25hrs | Views
Zimbabwe's continued lacklustre distribution of HIV and Aids antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) remains the greatest danger to people living positively, a lobby group official said last week.
Zimbabwe National Network of People living with HIV (ZNNP+) national chairperson Sebastin Chinhaire, said improvement in accessibility of the lifesaving drugs is required to avoid unnecessary loss of life.
He was officiating at the ZNNP+ 31st Candlelight Ceremony commemoration aimed at raising awareness on HIV and Aids and reduce stigma as well as to remember those who have succumbed to the condition.
Chinhaire said although a lot has been done, the government must not abandon HIV and Aids patients.
"There is need to exert renewed efforts in the fight against this disease. We need ARVs to be decentralised to every corner of the country and the medicines to be readily available," he said.
"It is a matter of concern that some of people living with HIV and Aids are sometimes given only two weeks' supply or less. This is very dangerous and some end up defaulting therapy because of this, resulting in deaths that could have been avoided," he said.
Chinhaire also said there are still more problems with youth, especially those in boarding schools some of whom have defaulted due to the stigma attached to the condition as well as general shame.
He urged stakeholders to find more innovative ways and ensure anyone who should be on ART adheres to medication.
Chinhaire said poor nutrition was hampering efforts to end the burden of HIV and Aids in communities.
"We are losing many children because of poor diet," he said.
The lobbyist urged government to invest in long-term strategies including procuring more drugs and improving HIV and Aids equipment including viral load testing and CD4 count machines in order to achieve zero infection, deaths and reduce stigma.
Chinhaire said ZNNP+ is working hard to make sure that treatment initiatives take precedence in relation to other efforts.
"It is not just about swallowing the given drugs but educating them on treatment preparedness, literacy and advocacy," he said.
To recognise the full potential of treatment literacy, ZNNP+, through the advocacy unit, is taking a five-pronged approach.
He said they are taking programme communication to the general public, partners, service providers and partners at community levels, including traditional leaders and administrative authorities.
Zimbabwe National Network of People living with HIV (ZNNP+) national chairperson Sebastin Chinhaire, said improvement in accessibility of the lifesaving drugs is required to avoid unnecessary loss of life.
He was officiating at the ZNNP+ 31st Candlelight Ceremony commemoration aimed at raising awareness on HIV and Aids and reduce stigma as well as to remember those who have succumbed to the condition.
Chinhaire said although a lot has been done, the government must not abandon HIV and Aids patients.
"There is need to exert renewed efforts in the fight against this disease. We need ARVs to be decentralised to every corner of the country and the medicines to be readily available," he said.
"It is a matter of concern that some of people living with HIV and Aids are sometimes given only two weeks' supply or less. This is very dangerous and some end up defaulting therapy because of this, resulting in deaths that could have been avoided," he said.
Chinhaire also said there are still more problems with youth, especially those in boarding schools some of whom have defaulted due to the stigma attached to the condition as well as general shame.
Chinhaire said poor nutrition was hampering efforts to end the burden of HIV and Aids in communities.
"We are losing many children because of poor diet," he said.
The lobbyist urged government to invest in long-term strategies including procuring more drugs and improving HIV and Aids equipment including viral load testing and CD4 count machines in order to achieve zero infection, deaths and reduce stigma.
Chinhaire said ZNNP+ is working hard to make sure that treatment initiatives take precedence in relation to other efforts.
"It is not just about swallowing the given drugs but educating them on treatment preparedness, literacy and advocacy," he said.
To recognise the full potential of treatment literacy, ZNNP+, through the advocacy unit, is taking a five-pronged approach.
He said they are taking programme communication to the general public, partners, service providers and partners at community levels, including traditional leaders and administrative authorities.
Source - Zim Mail
