The Treatment Action Campaign is urging national health clinics to supply HIV patients with ARV medication supplies for six months, instead of the current one to three months, saying the existing strategy contributed to erratic and irregular dosage regimes.
To emphasise its call, members of the TAC protested at some Department of Health district offices in North West and Free State this week, reports The Citizen.
A six-month plan would motivate people to stay on treatment because they would no longer need to visit clinics as frequently, while healthcare would not have to deal with long queues, said TAC spokesperson Morongwa Ntini.
“Additionally, many patients have started on their ARV therapy and then stopped because of the poor conditions and unwelcoming environment in clinics.”
The current system only allows for a period of one to three months of treatment, yet research shows that some clinics are still struggling to supply a three-month package.
“Only 15% of HIV patients interviewed in April and May reported getting a three-month supply in the Thabo Mofutsanyana district, only 24% in Lejweleputswa, and only 48% in Dr Kenneth Kaunda,” added Ntini.
“We want the national Department of Health to urgently revise national guidelines and policies so that people get a six-month supply – before the end of the year.”
In February, Health Minister Joe Phaahla conceded a policy change that would enable six months’ supply of ARVs was needed “if the country wants to get more people on treatment”.
More than 2m people with HIV are still not on treatment, the TAC said.
The Citizen article – ‘Irregular ARV supply keeps patients away’ – research (Open access)
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Health Department considers six-month ARV supplies to meet targets
Free State worst performer in ARV dispensing, survey finds
Urgent action needed to reduce ARV clinic stockouts – Treatment Action Campaign
Civil society report on medication collections at North West health facilities