Farmers feeding their chickens ARVs

THE National Aids Council (NAC) is set to conduct a national Anti-Retroviral drug audit following reports that some small scale farmers are feeding their chickens ARVs.

About 62,000 out of nearly 109,000 children living with HIV in Zimbabwe are not on anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment, while close to 800,000 people are on ART against a target of 1,273,188.

NAC monitoring and evaluation director Amon Mpofu said the council would meet animal specialists to map a way forward.

"We've been hearing rumours of small scale farmers who are feeding their chickens ARVs to facilitate faster growth. We're however not in a position to confirm, but we will soon conduct an audit to ensure the medication is reaching its targeted patients," said Mpofu.

"By the end of this week we would have met with people who deal with animal care so we can share ideas on how to curb the alleged activity?"

Mpofu warned poultry farmers to stop using ARVs to fast track the growth of their chickens, as that has long term health effects on consumers.

"People who consume ARV- induced chickens are in danger of developing cancerous cells. ARVs are meant to suppress HIV virus in human beings not in chickens," he added.

The National Cancer Alliance of Zimbabwe (NCAZ) last week indicated that any element causing acceleration of growth cells has high chances of causing cancer.

Of the 109,000 (children) diagnosed with HIV, only 47,000 of them are on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) as at June last year. This constitutes about 46 percent of children who've been tested against the 85 percent universal target.

Director of HIV/Aids and TB programmes in the ministry of health Dr Owen Mugurungi recently said about 70 percent of the adults living with HIV are now on treatment.