Zimbabwe plans to roll out antiretroviral (ARV) treatment this month at five pilot centres across the country, and expects to have 260,000 of an estimated 520,000 HIV-positive people on the programme by the end of next year.
Given the countrys current health crisis the task appears formidable, but health officials are optimistic, despite overwhelming obstacles, particularly the acute shortage of foreign currency.
The ministry of health said the governments rollout programme would benefit from the experience gained by local NGOs, faith-based organisations and the private sector, all of whom have already implemented drug distribution, albeit to a limited number of people. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is also providing technical support and has encouraged the development of tools for delivering the ARVs.
The authorities point to existing laboratories at most hospitals, a strong medicines regulatory authority and the availability of cheaper generic drugs as positive signs for success ofthe programme.
The triple generic drug treatment is expected to cost less than 100,000 Zim dollar (25 US dollar) per month thanks to partnerships with local manufacturers, such as Varichem.
Our major problem is to make sure that we have a reliable and adequate supply of drugs, the coordinator of AIDS and TB programmes in the ministry of health and child welfare, Dr Owen Mugurungu, told PlusNews.
2 billion Zim dollar (474,608 US dollar) is coming from the AIDS levy and 10 billion Zim dollar (2.4 million US dollar) from the Ministry of Finance, so we have 12 billion Zim dollar (2.8 million US dollar) available to us, he explained.
Kilde: Irinnews (FN)
