Anti-HIV antiretroviral runs out, 3 patients forced to share vial to survive

Health News for Saturday, December 5, 2020

Source: Kasapa FM

05/12/2020

Antiretroviral drugs for people living with HIV have run out in several hospitals across the country, forcing doctors to ration one bottle of drugs for three patients.

The Ghana Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (NAP + Ghana) fears the situation “could lead to increased dropout rates, unnecessary AIDS-related deaths and an increase in new infections”

In a statement signed by its National President Elsie Ayeh, NAP + lamented, “Since July of this year, members of our community have experienced an intermittent shortage resulting in the rationing of recurring ARVs for customers in the Greater Accra, Greater Accra regions. ‘East, Volta, Center and Ashanti. “

The statement further underlined that Ghana will continue to lose its UNAIDS target of having 90% of people tested for HIV; 90% of patients are placed on antiretroviral therapy and 90% on ARVs achieve viral suppression.

“For the Ghanaian Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (NAP + Ghana) and all people living with HIV, time is running out for us, as we achieved 55:77:68 against the 90:90 Fast Track : 90 of UNAIDS targets. We cannot afford to stand aside and watch all efforts, results and gains in HIV care, treatment and support fade away due to lack of political leadership and ineffective systems. health and health financing, ”the statement read.

The team further asked: “THE GOVERNMENT MUST CONSCIOUSLY OWN THE RESPONSE TO HIV AND AIDS IN GHANA.” THE SHORTAGE OF ARVS FOR ADULTS AND PEDIATRICS MUST STOP. “

The situation could affect the lives of some 342,307 men, women and children living with HIV / AIDS if not urgently addressed.